Commentary Essay Example, Writing Guide, and Tips

topics for commentary essays

Introduction

Welcome to The Knowledge Nest, your go-to resource for all things related to commentary essay writing. In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through the process of crafting an impactful commentary essay, providing useful examples and valuable tips to help you enhance your writing skills.

What is a Commentary Essay?

A commentary essay is a type of academic writing that aims to analyze and provide an in-depth interpretation of a particular text or topic. It offers a critical examination and evaluation of the subject matter, exploring various perspectives and providing evidence-based arguments to support the author's viewpoint.

Why Write a Commentary Essay?

Writing a commentary essay allows you to develop critical thinking skills, enhance your analytical abilities, and strengthen your written communication. It provides a platform to express your ideas and opinions, engage with different viewpoints, and present a well-rounded analysis of the chosen subject matter.

Key Components of a Commentary Essay

1. Introduction: Begin your essay with a captivating introduction that presents the topic and provides context for the reader.

2. Thesis Statement: Craft a clear and concise thesis statement that outlines your main argument or perspective.

3. Body Paragraphs: Develop your analysis in well-structured body paragraphs, each focusing on a specific point or theme. Use relevant evidence, examples, and expert opinions to support your claims.

4. Counterarguments: Address potential counterarguments or alternative viewpoints and offer thoughtful rebuttals to strengthen your position.

5. Conclusion: Summarize the main points of your essay and reiterate your thesis statement, leaving the reader with a lasting impression.

Step-by-Step Guide to Writing a Commentary Essay

Step 1: choose a relevant topic.

Select a topic that aligns with your interests and falls within the scope of your assignment or academic requirements. Consider the relevance and significance of the subject matter to engage your readers.

Step 2: Conduct Extensive Research

Gather information from credible sources such as academic journals, books, reputable websites, and scholarly articles. Engage with different perspectives and take diligent notes to support your analysis.

Step 3: Outline Your Essay

Create a clear and well-structured outline that outlines the main points, arguments, and supporting evidence you will present in your essay. A well-organized outline ensures a cohesive and logical flow of ideas.

Step 4: Craft an Engaging Introduction

In your introduction, provide a brief overview of the topic and its significance. Hook the reader's attention with an intriguing opening sentence or a thought-provoking question.

Step 5: Develop Your Arguments in the Body Paragraphs

Divide your essay into distinct body paragraphs, each focusing on a specific point or theme. Begin each paragraph with a topic sentence that establishes the main idea, and support it with relevant evidence, examples, and analysis.

Step 6: Address Counterarguments

Acknowledge alternative viewpoints and counterarguments to demonstrate your awareness of different perspectives. Articulate thoughtful rebuttals that strengthen your arguments and distinguish your viewpoint.

Step 7: Conclude with Impact

In your conclusion, summarize the main points of your essay and restate your thesis statement. Leave the reader with a compelling closing thought or call-to-action that invites further reflection or discussion on the topic.

Commentary Essay Example

To provide you with a better understanding, let's consider an example of a commentary essay on the topic of climate change:

Introduction:

Climate change has emerged as one of the most pressing global issues of our time. This commentary essay aims to analyze the causes, impacts, and potential solutions to address this environmental crisis.

Body Paragraph 1: The Causes of Climate Change

The first body paragraph delves into the primary causes of climate change, such as greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation, and industrialization. It explores how human activities have contributed to the accelerated pace of global warming.

Body Paragraph 2: The Impacts of Climate Change

In the second body paragraph, we examine the far-reaching impacts of climate change on ecosystems, weather patterns, and human livelihoods. We explore the devastating consequences of rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and the loss of biodiversity.

Body Paragraph 3: Potential Solutions to Climate Change

The third body paragraph focuses on potential solutions to mitigate and adapt to climate change. It explores renewable energy sources, sustainable agricultural practices, and international collaboration as key strategies to combat this global crisis.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, the commentary essay emphasizes the urgent need for collective action to address climate change. By understanding its causes, impacts, and potential solutions, we can work towards a sustainable future for generations to come.

Writing a commentary essay enables you to dive deep into a specific topic, critically analyze it, and articulate your thoughts effectively. By following our comprehensive guide and utilizing the provided tips, you will be well-equipped to create impactful commentary essays and improve your writing skills.

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From Summary to Insight: A Guide to Writing Commentary Essays with Depth

Writing an essay can be daunting, let alone if you’re also providing commentary on it. But the reward of a job well done is worth the effort when you’re finished!

It has been noted that essays with thoughtful commentaries have a higher chance of being accepted for publication. So I’m here to help make it clear that essay writers need to understand the power of commentary and how to incorporate it into their work.

In this article, I’ll share my experience as a writer and provide insight on how to make your voice heard in an essay by using effective commentary. By following my advice, you’ll be able to craft a piece that stands out from the crowd and makes your thoughts shine through!

What Is Commentary In An Essay?

Over the course of your writing, you may have heard of the term ‘commentary’ in relation to essay writing. But what does it mean?

Simply put, commentary is analysis. It’s when you take a text and try to identify the deeper implications at play. In literary texts this could be symbolism, metaphors or dual meanings; with non-fiction texts it could include examining how an author makes use of evidence and arguments to support their position.

Writing a commentary essay requires close reading skills and the ability to interpret a wide range of information. It also requires you to think critically about how ideas are connected and draw conclusions about why certain elements are included in the text.

Commentary is an essential part of any essay because it allows your reader – who may not be as familiar with the text as you – to understand why you have drawn certain conclusions based on your interpretation.

It’s like giving them a guided tour through your thoughts and ideas so they can explore what makes your argument unique and interesting. Commentary also enables you to make connections between different aspects of the text that might not be obvious on first glance, helping bring out its significance even further.

By using commentary effectively, you can write an engaging essay that really gets your point across clearly.

The Significance Of Commentary In Essay Writing

Writing commentary in an essay can be a powerful tool for communicating ideas and arguments. It is essential to engage in critical thinking, interpretation, and analysis when writing commentary. Writing effective commentary requires the ability to construct a well-developed argument that supports the main point of the essay.

Here are 4 key elements of effective commentary:

  • A clear thesis statement
  • Relevant evidence that supports the argument
  • Interpretation and analysis of the evidence
  • A conclusion that summarizes the argument

Commentaries should be written with an engaging style that encourages readers to think critically about the topic at hand. Good literary commentary should be accessible, yet thought-provoking; it should both inform and entertain the audience. Additionally, it should challenge preconceived notions about a subject and provide an insightful perspective on why something matters or how it affects our lives.

In order to write effectively, one must first understand their audience and what they hope to communicate through their words. With this knowledge in mind, one can craft a compelling commentary that offers fresh insight into any given topic.

Transitioning seamlessly into the next section…

Key Elements Of Effective Commentary

Like the rising sun that signals a new day, effective commentary can offer a fresh perspective to an essay. With the right words and emphasis, it can engage readers in an entirely new way and bring them closer to understanding your argument.

Like a shimmering beacon of light, it has the power to grab their attention and draw them into your ideas.

Commentary does more than just summarize facts or provide background information – it also evaluates, interprets, and analyses information.

It’s an opportunity for you to delve into the heart of what you’re writing about, offering insight into its significance and exploring potential implications. By taking this approach, you can evaluate the importance of each point and develop your thesis with greater clarity.

Through thoughtful commentary, you can make connections between ideas that your readers may not have previously considered and help them reach their own conclusions about your argument.

Strategies For Writing Potent Commentary In Essays

Writing potent commentary in essays is essential to making a successful argument and gaining the reader’s interest. Here are four strategies that can help you write a good essay commentary:

Develop a strong thesis statement

A thesis statement serves as the core of your essay, and it should be explicit, engaging and supportable by evidence. It should also be concise so that readers can understand your main message immediately.

Understand the topic better

Spend some time researching the topic before you start writing to ensure you have a thorough understanding of it. This will give your commentary more depth and clarity.

Body And Paragraphs Organized

Make sure your body paragraphs are organized logically and clearly explain how your points relate to the overall theme or argument of your essay.

Each paragraph should have a single purpose, and make sure that all sentences within each paragraph work together to support that purpose.

Use literary analysis

When writing your commentary you can draw on elements like tone, imagery, diction, and syntax to make your argument more persuasive and compelling for readers. This will also help them better understand what you’re trying to communicate in your essay.

By incorporating these strategies into your essay writing process, you can create powerful commentary that effectively supports your argument and engages readers with meaningful insight into the text or topic at hand. With these tips in mind, let’s look at how to use quotations and examples in commentary to further enrich our arguments!

The Use Of Quotations And Examples In Commentary

Now that we’ve discussed strategies for writing powerful commentary in essays, let’s explore the use of quotations and examples when constructing these sentences.

Quotations and examples are essential for making strong commentary sentences that support an argument or analysis. When used correctly, they can be a great way to illustrate a point and add interest and texture to your argument.

When including a quotation in your commentary, it is important to make sure it is properly attributed. You should include both the author’s name and the source from which the quote was taken. This not only strengthens your argument by adding credibility, but it also shows you have done your research.

Examples are also effective for proving a point or introducing a new concept. They help to break up longer paragraphs, explain difficult concepts in more detail, and provide evidence or substantiation for an idea or opinion. When using examples in commentary sentences, it is important that they are relevant to the topic at hand and accurately represent what you are attempting to say in your essay.

With this information in mind, let’s move on to examining types of commentary in essays; comprehending the contrasts.

Types Of Commentary In Essays: Comprehending The Contrasts

As a student writing a commentary essay, it is important to understand the differences between analyzing, summarizing, and evaluating. To help comprehend these contrasts, let’s take a look at four main points:

1.      Analyzing – Looking closely at something and breaking it down into smaller parts to better understand it.

2.      Summarizing – Taking the information from a larger group of data and boiling it down into its key elements.

3.      Relating – Exploring how two or more ideas are connected and how they affect each other.

4.      Evaluating – Examining different aspects of an issue or argument and determining its worth or value by expressing an opinion about it.

Using these four points as a framework for writing your commentary essays can help you to be more effective in your analysis, summary and evaluation of any given topic.

Furthermore, this knowledge will also serve you well when crafting strategies for writing literary essays that contain thoughtful commentary elements.

With this in mind, let us now turn our attention to creating such strategies…

Strategies For Writing Commentary In Literary Essays

Having discussed the differences between types of commentary, let’s now turn to strategies for writing effective commentary in literary essays.

When it comes to providing commentary, it is important to understand that you are making a statement about something; whether it be an interpretation or opinion, you need to make a clear statement.

You should also comment on any phrases or passages that have stood out and explain why they are significant.

It is also important to identify the underlying message of the text. This means going beyond surface-level analysis and delving into the deeper meaning of the work.

To do this, think about what is not being said as much as what is being said.

Make sure your comments add depth to your analysis and provide new insights for your readers.

Finally, take care when constructing your sentences so that your points come across clearly and convincingly.

Writing Commentary For Convincing Essays

I’m sure you’re excited to finally get started on writing your commentary for a convincing essay! It can be intimidating to write about something without knowing what type of essay you’re working on. But if you take the time to read through the assignment and passage, you’ll have a much better idea of what you need to write.

When it comes to writing your commentary, try not to worry too much about “sounding smart” or “having all the right answers.” Instead, focus on writing like yourself—in your own voice, with your own ideas. The more authentic and engaging your writing is, the more persuasive it will be to readers.

So don’t be afraid to express yourself—you may just surprise yourself with how creative and interesting your thoughts can be! With that said, let’s move on to creating commentary that supports your thesis statement.

Creating Commentary That Supports Your Thesis Statement

As the saying goes, hindsight is 20/20. Looking back now, it’s clear that writing an effective commentary for a convincing essay requires some finesse and insight.

When starting to write, it’s important to have a good understanding of the topic you are discussing and to provide enough context for your audience to understand what you are discussing. Additionally, it helps to have an understanding of opposing viewpoints before you start writing so that you can avoid falling into common traps.

To create commentary that supports your thesis statement effectively, there are a few things you need to keep in mind:

1.      Make sure your argument is sound and won’t be easily refuted by an opposing point of view.

2.      Avoid introducing new evidence or topics in your commentary; instead focus on the evidence already presented in the essay body.

3.      Take the time to help explain why certain evidence matters and why readers should care about it.

The goal of commentary is not just to express an opinion but also provide meaningful analysis that will help prove or disprove a point of view. By being mindful of these considerations when writing, it is possible to create effective commentary that will help readers better understand your argument and its implications.

Common Mistakes To Avoid In Commentary Writing

I think one of the biggest mistakes I can make when writing a commentary essay is to overgeneralize my points. It’s important to provide specific examples and evidence to back up my opinion and avoid making sweeping conclusions.

Additionally, when writing a commentary essay, it’s also easy to forget to include evidence to support my argument. Making sure to include evidence will make my piece of writing much more convincing and credible.

Avoiding Overgeneralization

When writing a commentary essay, it’s important to avoid overgeneralizing your topic.

Sure, it may be tempting to make sweeping statements about the issue at hand, but this won’t do justice to your argument.

Instead, try to focus on concrete evidence and facts that back up your opinion.

For example, include statistics or subjective accounts from experts in the field.

This will ensure that you don’t come off as too biased or uninformed in your commentary.

By avoiding overgeneralization and being specific in your evidence, you can present a much more convincing argument and captivate readers with innovation.

Remember: always strive for accuracy when building an argument!

Lack Of Evidence

When it comes to commentary writing, one of the biggest mistakes people make is not having enough evidence to back up their argument. Without any supporting evidence, your argument can easily be dismissed as biased and uninformed.

This is especially true when discussing contentious topics like politics or religion. It’s important to remember that you’re usually assigned a commentary essay for a reason—so make sure you have enough facts and figures to give your readers an informed opinion. Otherwise, you may struggle to convince them of your point of view.

To make sure your argument stands out from the crowd, research extensively and use concrete evidence whenever possible. This will show that you’ve put in the effort and will help ensure a more innovative outcome for your audience.

Tips For Revising And Editing Commentary

Revising and editing your commentary is an important step in writing an essay. It helps to ensure that you are conveying the most accurate and persuasive message.

To do this, it’s important to read through your writing again and summarize any points that you noticed while reading. This will allow you to make sure that each point is clear and concise. As students need to be able to write effectively, it is also important to pay close attention to the language used throughout the essay.

Looking for words that could be replaced with more precise ones or focusing on certain aspects of literature can help bring life to a paper.

It is also essential to check for grammar, spelling, punctuation, and other errors before submitting the essay. Making sure all of these elements are correct can help enhance the paper’s overall quality.

Additionally, as you review your work, look for any areas where clarification may be necessary. Taking a second look at what you wrote will help ensure that the reader fully understands all of your points and implications.

By following these tips when revising and editing commentary in an essay, readers can gain a clearer understanding of the author’s intended message.

Examples Of Strong And Poor Commentary In Essays

A necessary part of writing an essay is the commentary. It’s the all-important part that allows for a deeper understanding of what is being written and allows the reader to get a fuller picture of the writer’s thoughts.

Unfortunately, not everyone understands the need to understand commentary. Many writers think they can simply paraphrase their sources without paying attention to how they are using irony or antithesis, missing out on valuable opportunities to add depth and complexity to their work.

Commentary should be used to engage readers in a way that speaks directly to their subconscious desire for innovation. It should be written in a personal tone of voice with contractions and an engaging style that will grab readers’ attention and make them want more.

If done correctly, it can bring new life and insight into an essay, allowing it to stand out from the rest.

Paragraph Construction With Commentary

In this section, I’m going to be talking about paragraph construction with commentary. As part of writing an essay, it is important to think about how you are going to use literary elements and techniques to convey your main idea or argument. I was always taught by my instructor that the way you structure your paragraphs can really make a difference in how effective your message is.

So, let’s take a look at some tips for constructing well-crafted paragraphs that provide an engaging commentary.

First of all, try not to write too long of a sentence as this can lead to confusion for the reader.

Secondly, make sure that each paragraph has one clear point that ties back into the main argument or idea you are trying to convey in your essay.

Finally, use transition words and phrases as needed throughout the essay so that readers can easily follow along with your discussion.

All these steps help ensure that readers understand and appreciate what you have written in your essay. With these tips in mind, let’s move on to discussing transition words and phrases for commentary.

Transition Words And Phrases For Commentary

In the world of higher education, commentary is a powerful tool that can bring literature to life in a way that no other piece can. It’s almost magical how one can take an otherwise mundane poem and turn it into something extraordinary with just a few words. Commentary has the ability to transform isolation into coherence in ways that are simply astounding!

Here is a 4-point list for successful commentary:

1.      Read the text multiple times before writing any comments.

2.      Take notes on what stands out most to you.

3.      Use concrete examples from the text to better illustrate your points.

4.      Be sure to engage with your audience in a way that encourages them to think more deeply about the subject matter at hand.

Commentary is an invaluable skill for anyone looking to make their mark on a piece of literature, so use it wisely and always strive for excellence! With this knowledge, we can now move on to exploring how to write a conclusion with commentary – do’s and don’ts included!

Writing A Conclusion With Commentary: Do’s And Don’ts

Now that you know the transition words and phrases for commentary, it’s time to learn how to write a conclusion with commentary. It can seem complicated, but it doesn’t have to be.

One of the most important things to remember is not to rely too heavily on your homework. Spending too much time memorizing facts and figures won’t help you in the long run when it comes to showcasing your opinion. Therefore, try to focus on critical thinking skills instead of wasting time studying for hours on end.

While two sentences are usually enough for a conclusion, make sure that each one packs a punch and is full of insight and analysis. Hone your skills by getting feedback from others so you can refine your writing and develop a style that resonates with any reader.

This can help ensure that your concluding remarks leave an impactful impression on those who read them.

Overall, effective commentary is essential for producing a successful essay.

Writing commentary allows you to demonstrate your understanding and personal thoughts on the topic and can really amplify your argument.

By incorporating examples, quotations, and other evidence into your commentary, you are able to bring life to your writing in a manner that will make it stand out from the crowd.

As an age-old proverb says, “A picture paints a thousand words”; similarly, strong commentary paints an even grander picture of your argument.

With these tips in mind, I look forward to seeing you all write some truly standout essays!

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Home ➔ How to Write an Essay ➔ Commentary Essay Guide

Commentary Essay Guide

If you are a high school, college, or university student, you might have to write a commentary essay sooner or later. And whatever the subject may be, it’s better to be sure to provide substantial content and analyze the written discourse thoroughly. A commentary is quite good for completing that task.  

There are several ways of writing a commentary, and we will examine all of the major ones. Depending on the subject and the requirements, you might write your commentary in the form of a separate paper with its own characteristics (usually assigned and explained by your tutor), a literary analysis, and data commentary.

Plus, a commentary can be part of any complete essay. If you are assigned a specific type, you are free to jump to it directly. If not, make sure to read the whole article and learn more about every kind of commentary essay.

Essay definition – read our general article to learn more about essays.

What Is a Commentary Essay? (As a Separate Paper)

A commentary essay is a written piece that provides an opinion on a particular subject. This type of essay is usually written in response to another piece , such as a blog post, article, or book passage. In a commentary essay, the writer will typically offer their own take on the situation, using evidence and examples to support their claims.

A commentary essay as a separate assignment is widely used among academic institutions. Such a paper aims to make students enable and use their critical thinking, analyze a subject, and provide an individual commentary essay.

For instance, the Purdue University Fort Wayne course ENG W131 relies on a commentary essay as a distinct type because it simply helps the reader understand the topic more in-depth and provides a strong stance regarding the given subject. It would be reasonable to point out the most notable attributes of this commentary essay and what professors of the Purdue University course require to pass the program.

The list of assignmend handouts by PFW with commentary essay highlighted

The commentary essay’s primary goal is to help the audience understand the topic better. Many subjects may be quite unclear to an ordinary reader—meaning many points can be misunderstood. Students write commentary essays to evaluate various concepts and analyze the subject in a broader scope. 

Audience and Genre

The writer’s primary audience should be interested in the issue and have some connections with it. In other words, if you are to discuss innovations in the business sector, your audience may comprise business owners.

A commentary essay speaks for itself. The genre is a commentary—however, an official one.

Language and Style

Almost every paper has to be written according to academic rules, i.e., by following formal language and avoiding slang and personal pronouns. A commentary essay, however, allows you to include the first-person pronoun “I” to present your point of view.

Make your work coherent by providing effective transitions between the essay’s paragraphs and minding the word choice .

Like any academic paper, a commentary essay must contain an introduction with a thesis statement , a body part, and a conclusion. A word count might vary, but it is usually four to six pages long, double-spaced, typed with Times New Roman, with a title page and scholarly sources formatted in APA style.

Note: To learn more about essay format and structure, read our dedicated guide – How to Format an Essay .

Make sure to add one academic article or any other authoritative source per page. If your commentary essay has three pages, you need to find three up-to-date scholarly or any other competent materials. Such shreds of evidence support your arguments and thus make your work more trustworthy. 

The following are some brief tips to help you succeed in writing a commentary essay:

  • Create a strong and clear thesis that will outline your paper’s main points.
  • Make sure to give your audience food for thought or something that will urge them to act or try making sense of the topic.
  • Treat the readers as co-thinkers and demonstrate your position with reason, regardless of whether your perspective on the subject and theirs coincide.
  • Don’t be too objective or neutral but try to show your viewpoint, whatever it is.

Literary Commentary Writing and Analysis

Many students might think that commentary and analysis are two different things. They ask what the difference is since teachers can talk about commentary and analysis and use these terms interchangeably. The truth is, these are basically the same words in the context of essay writing. In simple terms, a commentary requires a person to analyze a certain block of text and explain their understanding to the audience.

As we already know, a commentary essay can be written in various ways. A commentary essay can examine different subjects and areas, which is hard to say about literary analysis. Literary commentary writing focuses on literature and sometimes news. Moreover, it follows the two most used methods: “This shows that” and “LET.” 

“This Shows That” Approach

To be brief but precise, this method makes students read between the lines and provide a complete understanding of the given text. However, although this method is relatively simple (but very effective), students tend to make mistakes when using it. Instead of going into the content, they remain about water. As a result, students don’t analyze the chosen section but simply paraphrase it. Let’s take a look at two examples:

A weak approach: In Essay On Criticism by Alexander Pope , the author states that “Those RULES of old discover’d, not devis’d; Are Nature still, but Nature Methodiz’d. Nature, like Liberty, is but restrain’d By the same Laws which first herself ordain’d.” The author says that only Nature sets the rules of our universe and can alter them.

A stronger approach: In Essay On Criticism by Alexander Pope , the author states that “Those RULES of old discover’d, not devis’d; Are Nature still, but Nature Methodiz’d. Nature, like Liberty, is but restrain’d By the same Laws which first herself ordain’d.” This shows that Nature dictates its own rules that no one can alter but her. Moreover, such rules are tightly connected with criticism during Classicism. The author wanted to emphasize that often such criticism was hostile to poetry, which was then called “criticism for the sake of criticism.”

“LET” Approach

This approach stands for “Literary Elements and Techniques,” which helps determine components used within the section and explains how such techniques correlate with the thesis statement. As a matter of fact, these elements are point of view, conflict, plot, character, style, and setting . 

Analyzed quote : “It is much easier to make good men wise, than to make bad men good.”

Thesis statement : Henry Fielding used digressions and extensive descriptions to show how a single event can be depicted, extended, and mocked.

Commentary : In this example, the narrator uses digressions to change the topic and provide something completely different, which, however, as the author states, is very important to know beforehand. By men , the author demonstrates the entire humanity and its development, false values, and shallow life. The quote works to show that every piece of text can mock every life aspect, and it wholly relates to the thesis statement.

Note: To learn more about academic analytical writing, check our comprehensive article – How to Write an Analytical Essay .  

What Are Commentaries in an Essay?

Commentaries in an essay can be written in different ways. Depending on an essay’s type you have to analyze, you can use several kinds of commentaries to interpret the body paragraphs’ evidence . These comments ultimately allow you to build a full-fledged paper and are essential in most essays. 

Each body paragraph in essays usually has a set structure, which looks something like this:

  • Topic sentence (with your claim or argument)
  • Supporting evidence, examples, quotes, etc.
  • Your commentaries analyzing the previous part
  • Concluding sentence with a transition to the next part

Commentary Essay Guide

There are five different ways of writing a commentary (analysis) in an essay. Each of them requires thorough analysis to identify which type is the most pertinent to use. Comments can be composed in the form of:

  • Opinion: When you analyze a piece and provide your take about it.
  • Interpretation: When you explain a concept that is hard to understand.
  • Character and Subject’s Feelings: When you depict the person’s emotional state.
  • Personal Reaction: When you present your personal stance on the topic.
  • Evaluation: When you evaluate a section and provide your critical judgment.

Now, each type is unique and has to be used within the relevant context. Suffice to say, you can’t use a character’s and subject’s feelings when analyzing statistics or a biology essay. How to identify which type is the most pertinent to the essay? Let’s find out.

Opinion Type

This one simply means to walk through the piece, comprehend it, and give the audience a short thought on the subject. The “what and why” method is the best way to provide sound analysis. Topics may be different, but argumentative essays with pieces of evidence are the prevalent paper type.

An exemplary statement might be: Considering a slow increase in vaccinated people, it will take over 70 years to vaccinate all the globe’s population.

When sticking to the “what and why” method, you want to show what your opinion is and why it is important.

So, the answer might follow this way: The statement demonstrated very slow progress in vaccinating people. If we want to get back to the pre-covid times sooner than 70 years from now, we have to speed up the vaccination process to grant people safety and hope.

Interpretation Type 

This type would suit argumentative essays with evidence-based statistics and numbers. Likewise, the “what and why” strategy would be the best for this and succeeding types.

The example of the body paragraph’s main thought can be: Researchers empirically identified that of 100,000 participants, 80,000 started feeling better after strenuous workouts.

Your commentary: The research indicates that the vast majority of participants made use of intense exercises. However beneficial it may be, there are still a substantial number of people who didn’t feel any improvement, and some even started feeling worse. 

Character’s or Subject’s Feelings

This type is applicable when providing commentaries on different descriptive or narrative essays.

For instance, the subject matter may well be related to some biographies and reflections, such as Sylvia Evans, observing her poor mental state, had to give up higher education and merge with solitude for the rest of her life.

Then, your commentary can be: Sylvia faces disastrous feelings at a young age, resulting in her university expulsion. Consequently, she has to leave everything and become alone, which can be even more perilous for her and people who share similar feelings. 

Personal Reaction

Here, you can touch on topics that can somehow relate to you. Issues you cover might be various and relate to the expository , narrative , or descriptive essays . An excellent example can be the topic of ethnic discrimination.

For instance: People don’t accept individuals of various backgrounds, sticking to the ideas of a polygamous nation and excluding others from their group.

The following may be your response: It is unacceptable to observe such pseudo-notions and see how people from different countries are perceived. Such an attitude spawns hatred, isolation, and even violence from both groups. 

Assessment 

This type relies on authoritative papers, credible statements, law, and other widely known rules.

For example, Owners whose private property is trespassed can use firearms and fend off the intruders.

Your evaluation can be as follows: Although this might be unnecessary, people are prone to defending their territory in any possible way. In fact, they are protected by the law and constitution that allow them to use firearms to protect their possessions. 

Data Commentary

Last but not least, the data commentary. Data commentary analyzes and discusses various data. In many fields, especially in engineering, it is critical to be able to make a point or develop an argument based on data.

The data can be presented as a table, graph, chart, or diagram; it can be your own data (e.g., gathered via a survey) or data from other sources, such as research papers and third-party surveys.

In data commentaries, one of the essential points is showing your position. And one of the main mistakes is to simply describe the data without providing your own point of view or any interpretation. However, here’s where another danger often arises. When drawing a conclusion based on data, make sure that conclusion is well-supported and that your claim is reasonable.

You can regulate the strength of your claim by using different verbs based on the strength of your stance. For example, if your stance is strong, you can say “caused,” indicating that one thing is definitely the reason something else happened. But if you want to make it less asserting, you can word it like “might have contributed to.”

All in all, here are the elements your data commentary can consist of:

  • Summary : You need to write a study’s synopsis and provide critical pieces of information the reader should know about.
  • Graph or Chart : To help the reader understand the numbers better and be able to compare them easily, you can include diagrams, charts, or other visual representations of data.
  • Conclusion : When writing a conclusion, not only do you help the reader remember key points, but you also provide your viewpoint.
  • Bibliography : You might need to create a reference page listing the sources you used when composing the data commentary.

Data Commentary Example (image)

Here’s an example of a data commentary with a good explanation, transitions, and a strong conclusion.

a data commentary excerpt about online misbehavior

Key Takeaways and Tips

With the abundance of types a commentary essay has, it comes as no surprise that students often get overwhelmed when professors assign them to write this paper. Still, the assignment is manageable, especially if you are aware that a commentary essay can be written in the form of:

  • Separate essay
  • Literary analysis
  • Data commentary
  • Evidence interpretation

Each of them is unique and has characteristics that students need to be familiar with before writing. 

Once you define which type of commentary essay you need, you might find the following tips useful:

  • Commentary is analysis, but not every analysis is commentary.
  • Try color-coding when writing an essay to highlight its parts with different colors to see if your paper is balanced and well-structured. Read more about essay elements in our guide on how to write a standard essay .
  • Always remember that in a commentary, your opinion and interpretation matter the most.
  • In a literary commentary, avoid using first-person pronouns (I, me, my, we, us, our).
  • Don’t simply summarize the quote, data, or evidence but draw logical conclusions and present your perspective.

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Commentary Essay Topics

50+ commentary essay topics for easy writing.

Commentary essays are all about your opinions, interpretations, analyses, and reactions. To write a good one, you’ll require a great topic to inspire you.

The topic-picking stage of your commentary essay can be a big bottleneck and stop any progress from being done. To help you with the assignment, we thought up and gathered essay topics about commentary. All that left for you to do, is select one commentary essay topic from the list, and you’re halfway there!

How to Select the Best Commentary Essay Topic?

Over 50 commentary essay topics are quite a lot! You come to this realization when trying to go through the list of topics. However, don’t get discouraged, you’ll quickly get yourself a main commentary essay subject!

Simply follow the steps below:

  • Review your professor’s notes on the commentary assignment.
  • Run down the list of essay topics.
  • Remember the ones that interest you the most.
  • Research the commentary essay topics which took your attention
  • Pick the topic for the commentary essay that has the most info available online.

Following our small guide turns the process of selecting from a hanging task into less than 10 minutes of work. Also, picking a commentary essay topic our way makes the writing process easier too! In the end, you’ll be discussing the commentary essay topic that you know for sure has tons of information online.

List of Commentary Essay Topics: 15 BEST Ideas

Here are 15 great commentary topics to discuss in the essay. They’re a safe bet, and you can’t go wrong with choosing one of them.

  • Sentenced to death – appropriate punishment for major wrongdoings?
  • Female mistreatment in Muslim countries: a problem or an untouchable part of the culture?
  • Misplaced public fears stopping worldwide progress. The COVID vaccination tendencies.
  • None of the approaches to dealing with coronavirus have been successful so far.
  • Royal Family in the UK: a relict of the past to be forgotten.
  • The hypocrisy of 2021: nobody wants COVID, but no one also wants imposed restrictions.
  • Biden’s attitude toward Russian geopolitics and Putin will destroy US-RUS relations.
  • Populism is killing impactful politics and substituting it with empty promises.
  • Suicide shouldn’t be illegal – Spain legalizing euthanasia.
  • Acting upon misogynistic beliefs and doing felonies is a hate crime.
  • Even the most progressive governments avoid addressing today’s gender issues.
  • Geopolitical conflicts between major powers will always happen as long as humans exist.
  • We don’t pay enough attention to global existential threats until it’s too late.
  • Net neutrality must be brought back because freedom of choice suffers greatly right now.
  • United Nations should have more powers to stop the persecution in sovereign countries.

10 Social Commentary Essay Topics

You’re more interested in social problems? Below you’ll find related commentary topics.

  • Traditional religions are too outdated and should be replaced with a cultural ideology.
  • Discerning sex and gender. Should pay attention only to one of the two?
  • How much regulation of the citizen’s social life is an overreach in governmental powers?
  • Regular people suffer the most from wars, but they do not instigate the conflicts.
  • Members of single-parent families are often discriminated against.
  • Only drug distribution and selling should be illegal. Drug users need medical rehabilitation.
  • Social media networks make bullying a seemingly less hurtful act and easier to do.
  • The capitalistic environments made Western society into a materially obsessed cult.
  • The line between caring for the health of others and body shaming.
  • How poverty throws people into inescapable environments with no social movement.

10 Personal Commentary Essay Topics

Want to create a personal essay? Here are some viable ideas.

  • The biggest day-to-day challenge you have to deal with on a personal level.
  • Figuring out the best field of work for yourself: difficulty, creativity, and engagement.
  • When is it okay to give something up? Real-life examples of turning failure into success.
  • The importance of setting and keeping to daily, monthly, and yearly goals.
  • Is having a purpose in life important? Can people lead happy lives without it?
  • The most interesting read you had lately and its impact on your personality.
  • Where do you end? Your body? Interests and hobbies? Relatives? Acquaintances?
  • Is creativity the quintessential aspect of being human?
  • Can all relationships be mended? What is “going too far” for you personally?
  • If you’d have infinite stable income without having to work, would you still work?

10 Higher Education Topics for Commentary Essay

Higher education will always be a hot topic. So, why not select a related commentary essay topic?

  • Plagiarism is abundant in higher education settings – Tutors simply just turn a blind eye.
  • Is going to college essential to having a good life prospect on average?
  • Racial issues in higher education: from enrolment up to academia.
  • Should higher education be as standardized as it is today?
  • Adapting to coronavirus pandemic – Going online is good.
  • We should abolish the student fees for people’s 1 st higher education degree.
  • Should single-sex university accommodations be the only available option to students?
  • Grades in universities: Are they relevant at all nowadays?
  • Uniform in colleges? Why is it nowhere to be seen in contemporary institutions?
  • To what extent should we employ technology to teach advanced topics?

10 Commentary Essay Ideas to Get Started Easily

Don’t want to get bogged down with your commentary essay? Then definitely pick something from the 10 options below.

  • Energy beverages must be prohibited in schools and universities alike.
  • In-person and website casinos are more detrimental to society than they bring in tax money.
  • We must illegalize hunting and instead only control animal populations when needed.
  • Limiting children’s exposure to web content is a good practice.
  • Cartoons during childhood, adolescence, and adulthood: the differences in reception.
  • Zombies and other monsters in the popular US media formats.
  • Healthcare system in the US and how it can be improved.
  • Alcoholic beverages and tobacco products ought to be considered drugs.
  • Capitalism is failing most societal classes and groups: only 1% truly benefit from it.
  • The teacher’s and professor’s personalities influence the forming of student individualities.

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What Is a Commentary in an Essay | Writing Guide & Examples

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When people need to express their thoughts or ideas about something, they need guidelines on how to write a commentary essay. This article begins by defining what is a commentary essay, its meaning, and outlining its basic structure. Some insights students can learn are that introductions should have hooks, background information, and thesis statements. Body paragraphs of a commentary essay should have topic sentences; evidence, mainly quotes; comments after the evidence; and transitions. The conclusion part should restate the thesis and summarize the main ideas. This guideline also gives a sample outline template, possible topics, and a practical example of a commentary essay. Lastly, the article teaches students 10 dos and 10 don’ts and 20 tips for writing a high-standard commentary essay.

How to Write an Outstanding Commentary Essay & Examples

Reading is an academic exercise that develops a person’s mental faculties of intellect, memory, reason, intuition, perception, and imagination. These faculties develop when people utilize what they have acquired through reading to write different types of essays , including reports and research papers. Therefore, reading and writing are related because they both induce intellectual development. This guideline on how to write a commentary in an essay teaches students and anyone passionate about writing how to create a good argumentative position that meets the quality standards for intellectual discourse and publication. The guideline also offers vital insights, including the definition of what is a commentary essay, its basic essay structure, different types, possible essay topics, 10 dos and 10 don’ts, and 20 tips for producing a high-standard essay. Therefore, reading this guideline is beneficial to students and others who may, from time to time, write a commentary in an essay to communicate ideas to specific audiences.

What Is a Commentary in an Essay | Writing Guide & Examples

Definition of What Is a Commentary in an Essay and Its Meaning

From a definition, a commentary is a descriptive account of an event, an expression of opinions about a political, economic, social, or cultural issue, or elucidating a point or topic of public interest. From this perspective, a commentary essay is a document that students write to express opinions about an issue or topic through a descriptive expression and explanation of ideas. In this respect, a commentary essay differs from other types of papers, including an argumentative essay, a personal narrative, a cause and effect essay, compare and contrast essay, or a problem and solution essay, as well as a report and a research paper, because it means expressing the writer’s perspective concerning an issue or topic. Commentaries are products of a critical analysis of societal problems across political, economic, social, and cultural dimensions. When writing a commentary essay, students should analyze and interpret the source under discussion, such as a text, film, article, video, advertisement, event, object, subject, book, poem, speech, presentation, literary work, novel, sculpture, or image, among others, using a basic sandwich rule: giving a commentary after each quote or citation.

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Basic Structure of a Commentary Essay

Like other texts, a commentary paper has a basic essay structure that dictates how writers should organize their content. This structure has three components: an introduction, a body, and a conclusion. The introduction is where writers introduce their assigned topics using a hook, context, and an argumentative thesis statement. Although this type of commentary essay is not an argumentative essay, an argumentative thesis indicates the writer’s perspective on the issue, which can be contentious in the eyes of readers. The body of a commentary essay is where authors construct a defense of their perspective through body paragraphs; each body paragraph should have a topic sentence that establishes a claim; supporting evidence, like quotes, data, or examples; a commentary that analyzes and explains information cited in an essay; and a concluding sentence with a transition to create a logical connection to the next paragraph. In turn, the conclusion restates the thesis and makes a final remark.

5 Main Types of Commentary

Because a commentary in an essay expresses the writer’s perspective about an issue, idea, or topic, it is evident in the body section of a commentary essay, where people describe their perspectives every time they provide evidence. In this respect, there are different types of commentary. The first one is an opinion essay where writers analyze evidence, such as a quote, text, or image, and state their stands with their critics. The second type of a commentary essay is an interpretation, where authors explain a complex concept to enhance the reader’s understanding. The third type is character or subject’s feelings, where students depict the emotional state of the person they have described in a commentary sentence. The fourth type of commentary essay is a personal reaction, where people communicate their stances on an issue, while the fifth type is an evaluation, where writers evaluate a section and gives a critical judgment.

Alternative Commentary Types and Examples

Besides the types of commentary above, students may write alternative commentary types when their essay is part of a bigger writing project, such as a systematic exposition of an idea, theme, or topic. Students must know the unique features of each type, including when to use it, what to focus on, and how to organize a commentary essay’s content.

1️⃣ Close, Direct Analysis of Passages

An example of an alternative commentary is a close, direct analysis of robust passages from the source, such as an article, film, poem, literary work, book, or novel. In this respect, they are standard in bigger writing projects, like expositions or being part of a critic’s work. Students adopt this type of commentary when they have to read a passage in a text or pick a speech in a movie and write a film analysis essay that expresses the writer’s perspective on the central issues, ideas, or concepts. The following example of a commentary essay demonstrates a close, direct examination of the first stanza of the poem “Night Wind” by Christopher Dewdney:

Tonight the wind blows through

all the worlds I have known and

through all the lives I have led.

The wind blows in the trees,

deeper into each.

The wind blows forever,

strains like something

endlessly departing.

Restless, impatient,

it races without burden.

Example of a Commentary on Celebration of Nature in the First Stanza of Christopher Dewdney’s Poem “Night Wind”

Christopher Dewdney’s 1984 poem “Night Wind” celebrates nature by depicting the night wind as a permanent, free expression of nature. The poet describes the wind on a particular night in the first stanza. By using a first-person perspective in the first three lines, Dewdney depicts himself as an observer. This writing style expresses a personal dialogue in which the poet directly relates his senses, experiences, and impressions. Dewdney opens the poem with the words: “Tonight the wind blows through / all the worlds I have known and / through all the lives I have led.” In this passage, the author expresses to the reader how the unity of the wind in whatever time or place leaves a lasting impression on him. Ideally, he views the wind as an omnipresent force but also regards it as very transient and fleeting. The words “endlessly departing” indicate to the reader the sense that the wind encompasses the entire continuum of the poet’s existence. Nonetheless, it is always in a rush to be at another location. The reader gets the impression that wind is a celebration of nature when Dewdney mentions its interactions with nature: “The wind blows in the trees, deeper into each.” This statement induces an imagination of trees fighting against a pervasive wind. The poet ends the stanza by personifying the wind, and he assigns it human qualities of restlessness, impatience, and playfulness. In this respect, the first stanza uses the wind as a reason to celebrate nature.

2️⃣ Commentary Annotations

Annotations are another type of alternative commentary where writers use a short claim on a source, like a text, film, or image. This kind of commentary essay also looks like an annotated bibliography. Typically, writers adopt annotations when they need to explain complex words, phrases, or concepts to readers; give a historical or cultural context of the topic; support or challenge the author’s arguments in an essay; expose literary devices, like contrast, irony, or sarcasm, or rhetorical devices, like ethos, pathos, and logos; provide a personal interpretation of the text under analysis. Therefore, annotations aim to enhance the reader’s understanding of a short passage from a source. Below are three examples of annotations of complex content in writing a commentary essay for Christopher Dewdney’s Poem “Night Wind.”

3 Examples of a Commentary With Annotations

➖ “The night wind is an empire / in exodus, a deliverance / beside the dark shape of trees.”

This statement is in lines 13-15 of Dewdney’s poem, where the poet alludes to a biblical concept, exodus, to express the wind’s freedom. By stating that the wind is “… in exodus, a deliverance…,” Dewdney makes the reader compare the wind to the incident in the book of Exodus in the Bible where Moses leads the children of Israel, God’s chosen people, to Canaan, the promised land, after freeing a life of bondage in Egypt. In this respect, lines 13-15 confirm that the wind is free and expresses nature’s freedom.

➖ “The wind takes / me in its giddy rush and / gathers me into a storm of longing, / rising on wings of darkness.”

In this statement in lines 18-21, the phrase “wings of darkness” emphasizes the wind’s freedom and mystery. The poet contextualizes the wind as an unpredictable force that can take a person anywhere .

➖ “Along oceans and rivers, / the gale’s mysterious, unspoken imperative / is a joyous delirium with / nothing at its end.”

This passage in lines 36-39 expresses Dewdney’s excitement in not knowing where the wind may take him. It suggests that it does not matter where the wind takes him because he is truly free. In essence, the statement makes the reader imagine the wind as a mystery because it can take one anywhere, emphasizing the theme of freedom.

3️⃣ Data Commentary

Data commentary is another type of alternative essay commentary where writers summarize a study by analyzing critical information that helps readers have a sneak peek of the project. The features students should incorporate in a commentary essay include visual illustrations, like charts, diagrams, graphs, and tables, to capture statistical data, allowing readers to compare them easily. In this respect, data commentary reflects the results section of a research paper because that is where scholars use visual illustrations to report statistical data. Another feature is a conclusion summarizing a commentary essay by reiterating the key points and expressing the writer’s final remark, meaning the main perspective on the topic. Lastly, people must provide a reference page listing credible sources they consulted to write data commentaries, such as reports and research articles. Below is an example of data commentary.

Example of Data Commentary

topics for commentary essays

Table 3 shows respondents’ responses to statements about the barriers to exercise prescription for people with mental illness. Those who agreed that patients’ mental health denies them the opportunity to exercise was 58%, while those who agreed that obtaining an injury during exercise is a concern was 45%. There was an overwhelming response by 87% of the respondents who agreed that exercise is beneficial and were interested in prescribing it for patients with mental health problems. However, only 13% agreed that prescribing exercise falls outside their job description. Nonetheless, 16% stated that they did not know how to prescribe exercise for the population. Overall, 71% approved that exercise professionals are best suited to prescribe exercise for people in the population.

Possible Uses of Block Quotations for Writing a Good Commentary Essay

When writing a commentary essay, students can use block quotations to organize comments. However, this feature is suitable mainly for extensive passages. In a simple definition, a block quote is a text that captures direct quotations longer than 40 words, which the writer offsets from the main text and does not include quotation marks. The text appears on a new line with a 0.5 inches indentation or five to seven spaces. Using single space for a block quote is standard, even in an essay requiring double spacing. Hence, students must know how to format block quotes in APA, MLA, Harvard, and Chicago/Turabian referencing styles when writing a commentary essay.

📕 APA Format

There are two ways in which students can write block quotes in the APA style when organizing their commentary essays.

I. The first block captures the author’s name before the quote:

In their tabulation of results, Vancampfort et al. (2019) showed:

Almost 75% of the respondents indicated that they would “definitely” attend further training for exercise prescriptions for people with mental illness, in particular, related to how to assess patients and how to motivate them towards an active lifestyle. More than seventy percent of the participants also reported that exercise to people with mental illness is actually best delivered by an exercise professional, although only one respondent referred patients to such an exercise professional (p. 2178).

“[Your comments on a block quote starts here]”

II. Alternatively, a block quote can have the author’s surname at the end:

According to the findings:

Almost 75% of the respondents indicated that they would “definitely” attend further training for exercise prescriptions for people with mental illness, in particular, related to how to assess patients and how to motivate them towards an active lifestyle. More than seventy percent of the participants also reported that exercise to people with mental illness is actually best delivered by an exercise professional, although only one respondent referred patients to such an exercise professional (Vancampfort et al., 2019, p. 2178).

📕 MLA Format

Similarly, the MLA style has two ways of formatting a block quote when organizing commentary essays.

I. Having the surname of the author preceding a block quote in an essay:

The results by Vancampfort et al. indicate:

Almost 75% of the respondents indicated that they would “definitely” attend further training for exercise prescriptions for people with mental illness, in particular, related to how to assess patients and how to motivate them towards an active lifestyle. More than seventy percent of the participants also reported that exercise to people with mental illness is actually best delivered by an exercise professional, although only one respondent referred patients to such an exercise professional (2178).

II. Having the author’s surname at the end of the quote:

Almost 75% of the respondents indicated that they would “definitely” attend further training for exercise prescriptions for people with mental illness, in particular, related to how to assess patients and how to motivate them towards an active lifestyle. More than seventy percent of the participants also reported that exercise to people with mental illness is actually best delivered by an exercise professional, although only one respondent referred patients to such an exercise professional (Vancampfort et al. 2178).

📕 Harvard Format

The Harvard style also has two ways of formatting a block quote when organizing commentary essays.

I. Indicating the author’s surname before a block quote in an essay:

In their findings, Vancampfort et al. (2019) established that:

II. Citing the author’s surname at the end of a block quote:

Almost 75% of the respondents indicated that they would “definitely” attend further training for exercise prescriptions for people with mental illness, in particular, related to how to assess patients and how to motivate them towards an active lifestyle. More than seventy percent of the participants also reported that exercise to people with mental illness is actually best delivered by an exercise professional, although only one respondent referred patients to such an exercise professional (Vancampfort et al. 2019, p. 2178).

📕 Chicago/Turabian Format

The Chicago/Turabian style also has two ways of formatting a block quote when organizing commentary essays.

I. Mentioning the author’s surname before a block quote in an essay:

According to Vancampfort et al.:

Almost 75% of the respondents indicated that they would “definitely” attend further training for exercise prescriptions for people with mental illness, in particular, related to how to assess patients and how to motivate them towards an active lifestyle. More than seventy percent of the participants also reported that exercise to people with mental illness is actually best delivered by an exercise professional, although only one respondent referred patients to such an exercise professional (this passage must be formatted as a footnote). 1

II. Showing the author’s surname in a footnote:

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Key Features of Formatting Block Quotes When Writing a Commentary Essay

Looking at the examples of writing a commentary in an essay above, there are some similarities and differences in formatting block quotes. APA and Harvard are similar because they show the research article’s publication year and the page number of the information the writer cites in their commentary essay. The main difference is the arrangement of these details, including the place of putting comas. On the other hand, the MLA and Chicago/Turabian styles are similar in that they do not show the research article’s publication year. The main difference is that the Chicago/Turabian style uses footnotes to show the author(s) and all the bibliography details at the commentary essay’s end. The MLA style shows only the author’s surname and the page number in the text. In turn, people begin writing their commentaries in the following line after a block quote as a standard paragraph in all the formats.

Easy Sample Topics for Writing a Great Commentary Essay

Students should choose easy essay topics when writing a commentary essay to avoid complicating their tasks. Ideally, a specific topic should indicate a particular source document one is commenting on, such as a text, film, or image. The standard practice is that instructors define essay topics or commemorative speech topics students should write about. However, people can choose other themes they are comfortable with if such instructions do not exist for writing a commentary essay. The best approach to choosing an easy topic is to engage with course content and read widely to generate and incubate ideas. When the time for writing a commentary essay comes, one finds it easy to construct arguments fitting the task. The following are possible commentary essay topics because they suggest analyzing and examining a source from the writer’s perspective.

  • In Memory of Amelia Earhart: Sky’s Fearless Lady
  • The Central Themes in Harper Lee’s novel “To Kill a Mockingbird”
  • “The Great Gatsby” Through Contemporary Lens
  • The Rhetorical Stance in Jessica Grose’s “Cleaning: The Final Feminist Frontier”
  • The Message in Robert Frost’s Poem “The Road Not Taken”
  • Maya Angelou’s Magic in “And Still I Rise”
  • Demystifying Mental Disorders Through the Film “Black Swan (2010)”
  • The Essence of Margaret Atwood’s “Negotiating With the Dead: A Writer on Writing”

Sample Outline Template for Writing a Commentary Essay

  • Title of a commentary essay must be precise to an assigned topic.
  • Title must be short, clear, and easily understandable.
  • Title must be interesting, catchy, and with relevant keywords.

I. Introduction Section of a Commentary Essay

  • Essay introduction must have a hook that interests readers enough to grab their attention and stirs a curiosity to continue reading.
  • Introduction must refer to a specific source (text, film, or image) and its author(s).
  • Introduction must summarize an assigned source that includes the main characters (if any), themes, or concepts.
  • Introduction must have a clear thesis statement that states the writer’s claim.

II. Body Section of a Commentary Essay

Body paragraphs (at least three):

  • Each body paragraph of a commentary essay must have a topic sentence that emphasizes a single idea central to the main claim in the thesis statement that the writer will defend in the paragraph.
  • Each body paragraph must include evidence from a source under analysis, such as a quote, indicating the character responsible and the context.
  • Each body paragraph must give a commentary about the evidence through relevant analysis, linking the information to the idea at the beginning of the paragraph and the claim in the thesis.
  • Each body paragraph must end with a closing statement and a bridge sentence to facilitate a logical flow to the next paragraph or section.

III. Conclusion Section of a Commentary Essay

Sum up a commentary essay by:

  • Restating the thesis.
  • Emphasizing the main ideas of a commentary essay.
  • Giving a final remark that confirms the importance of the essay topic.

Example of a Commentary Essay

Commentary Essay’s Title: The Rhetorical Stance in Jessica Grose’s “Cleaning: The Final Feminist Frontier”

I. Example of an Introduction of a Commentary Essay

A woman never rests, not with society constantly demanding her value at every turn. This idea is the message in Jessica Grose’s famous article, “Cleaning: The Final Feminist Frontier.” The author argues that cleaning remains a feature of women’s value in society, despite men’s growing involvement in childcare and cooking. The article also opens with personal accounts and convincing facts, suggesting its credibility as a source of information about the dynamics confronting American women. In her article, Grose communicates her message effectively by adopting a rhetorical stance characterized by emotional appeals.

II. Example of Body Paragraphs of a Commentary Essay

A. commentary on the main idea of the article.

Grose opens the article with a personal story of her and her husband cleaning their house after Hurricane Sandy forced them indoors. She uses the uneven distribution of the cleaning task in her marriage to point out the larger feminist issue of who between a husband and wife should do the job. The article gives three reasons why men shy away from the cleaning task, including the fact that it is women who receive praise for a clean house, the media focuses on men’s growing involvement in childcare and cooking, and it is not fun. According to Grose, even distribution of the cleaning task can happen by creating a task chart that shows who does what on the basis of skill and ability and adopting cleaning gadgets to make cleaning more fun.

Throughout the article, Grose uses sources to appeal to the readers’ ethos and build her argument. Some of the sources she uses to achieve these goals include a study by sociologists Judith Treas and Tsui-o Tai and an article by Matthew Krehbiel, North America Fabric Care Brand Manager for P&G. Citing these sources helps the author to build her credibility in the eyes of readers.

Regarding appeals to logos, Grose mentions statistics and interesting facts that help to enhance the logical progression of ideas central to her argument. To emphasize the uneven distribution of the cleaning task, she says, “My husband and I both work…I do the dishes nine times out of ten, and he barely knows how the washer and dryer work.” Such facts confirm and support the idea that women do more household chores than men. She also cites statistics, showing “55 percent of mothers working full-time in America do some housework daily compared to 18 percent of fathers.” In this respect, the article is factual about the uneven distribution of household chores that disadvantages women. As a result, the personal details and statistics from credible sources help Grose to impress upon the reader how society uses the domestic environment to subjugate women.

The article appeals to the readers’ pathos in the beginning and middle sections, where Grose uses emotionally-charged words and phrases to induce the audience’s sympathy. For example, Grose laments that, while she “was eight months pregnant,” her husband experienced the complexity of fighting “a massively pregnant person.” These words evoke an image in the readers’ mind that portrays women as vulnerable in the domestic space because of natural factors, like high emotions and pregnancy. Indeed, readers may feel sympathetic to Grose and the women who generally live in this social context. Moreover, using words and phrases, like ‘argued,’ ‘sucks,’ ‘be shunned,’ ‘be judged,’ and ‘headachey,’ evokes readers’ negative feelings about cleaning. As such, they are more drawn to sympathize with men and view men as selfish.

III. Example of a Conclusion of a Commentary Essay

Grose takes a rhetorical stand throughout the article to persuade her audience of the unfair distribution of cleaning labor in the domestic space. By referencing credible sources, citing statistics and interesting facts, and portraying women as adversely disadvantaged, Grose effectively appeals to the readers’ ethos, logos, and pathos. This rhetorical stand is critical in communicating how society remains unfair to women in the domestic space despite men’s growing involvement in some household chores like childcare and cooking.

4 Easy Steps for Writing a Commentary Essay

Writing a commentary essay is a technical process that requires students to grasp essential details. For example, these details reflect 4 writing steps: preparation, stage setup, writing a first draft, and wrap-up. Typically, each step’s details of writing a commentary essay reflect the wisdom writers should exhibit when creating any scholarly text.

Step 1: Preparation

Preparation is the first step of writing a commentary essay. As the name suggests, it is when writers take time to create a favorable environment to write their papers. The first task is identifying a single source, where students should select good sources they can analyze easily, including poems, novels, or films. The second task is to create a topic, where students must write short topics that communicate a precise message of a commentary essay.

Step 2: Stage Setup

Setting the stage is the second step of writing a commentary essay. The first task is to read, watch, or examine an assigned source to identify key themes and ideas. The second activity is to research reliable sources that help to generate ideas that align with these themes and concepts. The next task is to create a clear essay outline emphasizing the introduction, body, and conclusion with all the essential details.

Step 3: Writing a First Draft of a Commentary Essay

Writing a first draft is the third step in creating a commentary essay, and the focus is generating a paper that can be used for further editing and improvement. As such, students should organize their ideas into text, emphasizing the claim in the thesis statement, ideas in the topic sentences, evidence (quotes), and transitions in the body paragraphs. Students should also ensure the conclusion restates the thesis, summarizes the main ideas of a commentary essay, and gives a final remark about their commentaries, focusing on an assigned source and topic.

Step 4: Wrap-Up

The wrap-up is the last step in writing a commentary essay. The main focus is transforming a first draft into a final text by eliminating all mistakes and flaws. Typically, students should revise all sections that do not make sense to a central claim or those that affect the paper’s logical progression. They should also edit a commentary essay by adding or deleting words and phrases and eliminating grammatical mistakes, missing punctuation, formatting errors, and incorrect citations.

20 Tips for Writing a Commentary Essay

Looking at the information in the preceding sections, writing a great commentary essay is a complex task that requires students to demonstrate knowledge of what it takes to create a quality paper. Some of the tips for writing a commentary essay include identifying a single source, which can be a text, film, or image; noting the source’s basic information, like the author, title, and publication date; identifying the central themes in the source; writing an introduction that emphasizes the source’s basic information; creating a thesis that communicates a claim about the source; adopting the unique structure as above; beginning paragraphs with a topic sentence; incorporating quotes from the source into body paragraphs; commenting on the quotes and their significance; and concluding a commentary essay with a summary that makes a final remark about a single source and topic.

10 things to do when writing a commentary essay include:

  • identifying a source for writing a commentary essay;
  • reading, watching, or analyzing an assigned source carefully and closely;
  • outlining critical details, like themes, ideas, and literary devices;
  • writing an introduction with a hook and an argumentative thesis statement;
  • providing body paragraphs with topic sentences, concluding sentences, quotes, commentary, and transitions;
  • maintaining a formal tone in a commentary essay;
  • using the applicable format (APA, MLA, Harvard, or Chicago/Turabian) correctly;
  • presenting an introduction that summarizes a commentary essay;
  • avoiding grammatical mistakes;
  • proofreading a final version of a commentary essay.

10 things not to do include:

  • failing to document the source’s essential details, like the author’s name and surname;
  • concentrating on the introduction more than the body;
  • not incorporating quotes in body paragraphs;
  • focusing on too many ideas in a commentary essay;
  • not defending the claim in the thesis;
  • ignoring a unique outline of a commentary essay;
  • writing with too many grammatical mistakes;
  • using different formatting styles (APA, MLA, Harvard, and Chicago/Turabian);
  • not implementing transitions in body paragraphs;
  • creating a commentary essay without a logical flow of ideas and thoughts.

Summing Up on How to Write a Perfect Commentary Essay

  • Choose a single source that is simple to analyze.
  • Create a clear thesis that emphasizes the focus of a commentary essay, such as a claim.
  • Identify passages or themes in an assigned source that help to build an argumentative claim.
  • Use an introduction paragraph for its purpose: to introduce a specific topic. As such, it should be short and precise.
  • Use a body section for its purpose: to analyze a particular source and defend a central claim comprehensively. Therefore, it should be long and have quotes as evidence.
  • Use a conclusion part to summarize a commentary essay, and it should be concise. More importantly, it should leave readers with a lasting impression of a defined source and topic.

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Common App Essays | 7 Strong Examples with Commentary

Published on November 19, 2021 by Kirsten Courault . Revised on May 31, 2023.

If you’re applying for college via the Common App , you’ll have to write an essay in response to one of seven prompts.

Table of contents

What is the common application essay, prompt 1: background, identity, interest, or talent, prompt 2: overcoming challenges, prompt 3: questioning a belief or idea, prompt 4: appreciating an influential person, prompt 5: transformative event, prompt 6: interest or hobby that inspires learning, prompt 7: free topic, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about college application essays.

The Common Application, or Common App , is a college application portal that is accepted by more than 900 schools.

Within the Common App is your main essay, a primary writing sample that all your prospective schools will read to evaluate your critical thinking skills and value as a student. Since this essay is read by many colleges, avoid mentioning any college names or programs. Instead, save tailored answers for the supplementary school-specific essays within the Common App.

Regardless of your prompt choice, admissions officers will look for an ability to clearly and creatively communicate your ideas based on the selected prompt.

We’ve provided seven essay examples, one for each of the Common App prompts. After each essay, we’ve provided a table with commentary on the essay’s narrative, writing style and tone, demonstrated traits, and self-reflection.

Prevent plagiarism. Run a free check.

This essay explores the student’s emotional journey toward overcoming her father’s neglect through gymnastics discipline.

Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.

When “The Devil Went Down to Georgia” began to play, it was my signal to lay out a winning floor routine. Round off. Back handspring. Double back layout. Stick!

Instead, I jolted off the floor, landing out of bounds. Over the past week, I hadn’t landed that pass once, and regionals were only seven days away. I heaved a heavy sigh and stomped over to the bench.

Coach Farkas saw my consternation. “Mona, get out of your head. You’re way too preoccupied with your tumbling passes. You could do them in your sleep!”

That was the problem. I was dreaming of tumbling and missing my landings, waking up in a cold sweat. The stress felt overwhelming.

“Stretch out. You’re done for tonight.”

I walked home from the gym that had been my second home since fourth grade. Yet my anxiety was increasing every time I practiced.

I startled my mom. “You’re home early! Wait! You walked? Mona, what’s going on?!”

I slumped down at the kitchen table. “Don’t know.”

She sat down across from me. “Does it have anything to do with your father texting you a couple of weeks ago about coming to see you at regionals?”

“So what?! Why does it matter anymore?” He walked out when I was 10 and never looked back. Still, dear ol’ Dad always had a way of resurfacing when I least expected him.

“It still matters because when you hear from him, you tend to crumble. Or have you not noticed?” She offered a knowing wink and a compassionate smile.

I started gymnastics right after Dad left. The coaches said I was a natural: short, muscular, and flexible. All I knew was that the more I improved, the more confident I felt. Gymnastics made me feel powerful, so I gave it my full energy and dedication.

The floor routine became my specialty, and my performances were soon elevating our team score. The mat, solid and stable, became a place to explore and express my internal struggles. Over the years, no matter how angry I felt, the floor mat was there to absorb my frustration.

The bars, beam, and vault were less forgiving because I knew I could fall. My performances in those events were respectable. But, the floor? Sometimes, I had wildly creative and beautiful routines, while other times were disastrous. Sadly, my floor routine had never been consistent.

That Saturday afternoon, I slipped into the empty gym and walked over to the mat. I sat down and touched its carpeted surface. After a few minutes, my cheeks were wet with the bitter disappointment of a dad who only showed up when it was convenient for him. I ruminated on the years of practices and meets where I had channeled my resentment into acrobatics and dance moves, resolved to rise higher than his indifference.

I saw then that my deepest wounds were inextricably entangled with my greatest passion. They needed to be permanently separated. While my anger had first served to launch me into gymnastics, before long, I had started serving my anger.

Anger is a cruel master. It corrupts everything it touches, even something as beautiful as a well-choreographed floor routine.

I changed my music days before regionals. “The Devil” no longer had a place in my routine. Instead, I chose an energetic cyberpunk soundtrack that inspired me to perform with passion and laser focus. Dad made an obligatory appearance at regionals, but he left before I could talk to him.

It didn’t matter this time. I stuck every landing in my routine. Anger no longer controlled me. I was finally free.

Word count: 601

College essay checklist
The student makes a unique connection, showing how her troubled relationship with her floor routine is connected to her anger at her absent father. However, rather than focusing on her difficult past, she highlights a key moment when she overcame her anger and made peace with her relationships with her dad and with gymnastics.
The essay uses a conversational tone but selectively employs elevated language that fits the student’s vocabulary range. The student uses personification to illustrate her close relationship to anger and gymnastics, such as “anger is a cruel master” and “the bars, beam, and vault were less forgiving.”
Through showing, not telling, the student clearly demonstrates dedication, hard work, and resilience. She also displays her commitment to emotional growth and character.
In the final paragraphs, the student contemplates her troubled relationship with her floor routine and realizes its connection to her absent father. She explains how this insight healed her and allowed her to freely perform without anger.

This essay shows how the challenges the student faced in caring for her sister with autism resulted in an unexpected path forward in her education.

The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?

I never had a choice.

My baby sister was born severely autistic, which meant that every detail of our home life was repeatedly adjusted to manage her condition. I couldn’t go to bed without fearing that Mindy would wake up screaming with that hoarse little voice of hers. I couldn’t have friends over on weekends because we never knew if our entire family would need to shift into crisis mode to help Mindy regain control.

We couldn’t take a family vacation because Mindy would start hitting us during a long car ride when she didn’t want to sit there anymore. We couldn’t even celebrate Christmas like a normal family because Mindy would shriek and run away when we tried to give her presents.

I was five years old when Mindy was born. For the first ten years, I did everything I could to help my mom with Mindy. But Mom was depressed and would often stare out the window, as if transfixed by the view. Dad was no help either. He used his job as an excuse to be away from home. So, I tried to make up for both of them and rescue Mindy however I could whenever she needed it.

However, one day, when I was slowly driving Mindy around with the windows down, trying to lull her into a calmer state, we passed two of my former classmates from middle school. They heard Mindy growling her disapproval as the ride was getting long for her. One of them turned to the other and announced, “Oh my God! Marabeth brought her pet monster out for a drive!” They laughed hysterically and ran down the street.

After that day, I defied my parents at every turn. I also ignored Mindy. I even stopped doing homework. I purposely “got in with the wrong crowd” and did whatever they did.

My high school counselor Ms. Martinez saw through it all. She knew my family’s situation well. It didn’t take her long to guess what had probably happened.

“Marabeth, I get it. My brother has Down syndrome. It was really hard growing up with him as a brother. The other kids were pretty mean about it, especially in high school.”

I doubted she understood. “Yeah. So?”

“I’m guessing something happened that hurt or embarrassed you.”

“I’m so sorry. I can only imagine how you must have felt.”

It must have been the way she said it because I suddenly found myself sobbing into my trembling, cupped hands.

Ms. Martinez and I met every Friday after that for the rest of the year. Her stories of how she struggled to embrace living with and loving her brother created a bridge to my pain and then my healing. She explained that her challenges led her to pursue a degree in counseling so that she could offer other people what no one had given her.

I thought that Mindy was the end of my life, but, because of Ms. Martinez’s example and kindness, I can now see that Mindy is a gift, pointing me toward my future.

Now, I’m applying to study psychology so that I can go on to earn my master’s degree in counseling. I’m learning to forgive my parents for their mistakes, and I’m back in Mindy’s life again, but this time as a sister, not a savior. My choice.

Word Count: 553

College essay checklist
The essay has a logical flow. It starts by explaining the student’s challenges as her sister’s caretaker, describes her breaking point, and then shows how her counselor pointed her toward a new perspective and career path. It also avoids dwelling on negative details and concludes with a positive outlook and action.
The student’s tone is appropriately conversational to illustrate her feelings with vulnerability.
The essay clearly shows the student’s commitment, resilience, and sacrifice through the narrative of her caring for her sister.
The student reveals her honest thoughts and feelings. She also explains how her counselor helped her see her sister as a gift who motivated her to pursue a meaningful career path.

This essay illustrates a student’s courage in challenging his culture’s constructs of manhood and changing his course while positively affecting his father in the process.

Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?

“No son of mine is gonna march around a football field wearing tail feathers while all the real men are playing football!”

I took a step backward and tried not to appear as off-balance as I felt. In my excitement, I had blurted out more information than my father could handle:

“Dad! I made the marching band as a freshman! Nobody does that—I mean nobody!”

As soon as I had said it, I wished I could recall those words. How could I forget that 26 years earlier, he had been the starting wide receiver for the state-champion Tigers on the same field?!

Still, when I opened the email on that scorching hot August afternoon, I was thrilled that five months of practicing every possible major and harmonic minor scale—two octaves up and two octaves down—had made the difference. I had busted reed after reed, trying not to puff my cheeks while moving my fingers in a precise cadence.

I knew he had heard me continually practicing in my room, yet he seemed to ignore all the parts of me that were incongruous with his vision of manhood:

Ford F-150 4x4s. Pheasant hunting. The Nebraska Cornhuskers.

I never had to wonder what he valued. For years, I genuinely shared his interests. But, in the fall of eighth grade, I heard Kyle Wheeling play a saxophone solo during the homecoming marching band halftime show. My dad took me to every football game to teach me the plays, but that night, all I could think about was Kyle’s bluesy improv at halftime.

During Thanksgiving break, I got my mom to drive me into Omaha to rent my instrument at Dietze Music, and, soon after, I started private lessons with Mr. Ken. Before long, I was spending hours in my room, exploring each nuance of my shiny Yamaha alto sax, anticipating my audition for the Marching Tigers at the end of the spring semester.

During those months of practice, I realized that I couldn’t hide my newfound interest forever, especially not from the football players who were going to endlessly taunt me. But not all the guys played football. Some were in choir and theater. Quite a few guys were in the marching band. In fact, the Marching Tigers had won the grand prize in their division at last year’s state showdown in Lincoln.

I was excited! They were the champions, and I was about to become a part of their legacy.

Yet, that afternoon, a sense of anxiety brewed in my belly. I knew I had to talk to him.

He was sweeping the grass clippings off of the sidewalk. He nodded.

“I need to tell you something.”

He looked up.

“I know that you know about my sax because you hear me practicing. I like it a lot, and I’m becoming pretty good at it. I still care about what you like, but I’m starting to like some other things more. I hope you’ll be proud of me whatever I choose.”

He studied the cracks in the driveway. “I am proud of you. I just figured you’d play football.”

We never talked about it again, but that fall, he was in the stands when our marching band won the state championship in Lincoln for the second time. In fact, for the next four years, he never left the stands during halftime until the marching band had performed. He was even in the audience for every performance of “Our Town” at the end of my junior year. I played the Stage Manager who reveals the show’s theme: everything changes gradually.

I know it’s true. Things do change over time, even out here in central Nebraska. I know because I’ve changed, and my dad has changed, too. I just needed the courage to go first.

Word count: 626

College essay checklist
The essay starts with a picture of confrontation that directly reflects the prompt. It then paints a chronological narrative of the student’s journey toward change, while using the literary device of flashback in the middle to add background and clarity to the story.
The student uses a conversational yet respectful tone for a college essay. He effectively uses dialogue to highlight important moments of conflict and mutual understanding throughout the story.
The student clearly demonstrates the qualities of self-reflection, courage, and integrity without directly claiming to have them (show, don’t tell).
The student offers an honest assessment of his culture’s traditional views of manhood, his reasons for challenging them, and his appreciation for his father’s acceptance of his choices.

The student demonstrates how his teacher giving him an unexpected bad grade was the catalyst for his becoming a better writer.

Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?

I stared in disbelief at the big red letter at the top of my paper: D. 

Never in my entire high school career had I seen that letter at the top of any paper, unless it was at the beginning of my first name. 

I had a 4.796 GPA. I had taken every pre-AP and AP course offered. My teachers had praised my writing skills! However, Mr. Trimble didn’t think so, and he let me know it:

“Darwin, in the future, I believe you can do better if you fully apply yourself.” 

I furiously scanned the paper for corrections. Not even one! Grammar and syntax? Perfect. Spelling? Impeccable. Sentence and paragraph structure? Precise and indisputable, as always. 

Was he trying to ruin my GPA? Cooper was clearly his favorite, and we were neck and neck for valedictorian, which was only one year away. Maybe they were conspiring to take me down. 

Thankfully, AP Composition was my last class. I fled the room and ran to my car. Defiant tears stained my cheeks as I screeched my tires and roared out of the parking lot. When I got home, I shoved in my AirPods, flopped on my bed, and buried my head under the pillow. 

I awoke to my sister, Daria, gently shaking my arm. “I know what happened, D. Trimble stopped me in the hall after school.”

“I’m sure he did. He’s trying to ruin my life.”

“That’s not what he told me. You should talk to him, D.”

The next day, although I tried to avoid Mr. Trimble at all costs, I almost tripped over him as I was coming out of the bathroom.

“Darwin, can we talk?” 

He walked me down the hall to his room. “Do you know that you’re one of the best writers I’ve ever had in AP Comp?” 

“Then why’d you do it?” 

“Because you’re better than you know, Darwin. You impress with your perfect presentations, and your teachers reward you with A’s and praise. I do frequent the teacher’s lounge, you know.” 

“So I know you’re not trying.”

I locked eyes with him and glared. 

“You’ve never had to try because you have a gift. And, in the midst of the acclaim, you’ve never pushed yourself to discover your true capabilities.”

“So you give me a D?!”

“It got your attention.”

“You’re not going to leave it, are you?”

“Oh, the D stands. You didn’t apply yourself. You’ll have to earn your way out with your other papers.” 

I gained a new understanding of the meaning of ambivalence. Part of me was furious at the injustice of the situation, but I also felt strangely challenged and intrigued. I joined a local writer’s co-op and studied K. M. Weiland’s artistic writing techniques. 

Multiple drafts, track changes, and constructive criticism became my new world. I stopped taking Mr. Trimble’s criticism personally and began to see it as a precious tool to bolster me, not break me down. 

Last week, the New York Public Library notified me that I was named one of five finalists for the Young Lions Fiction Award. They described my collection of short stories as “fresh, imaginative, and captivating.” 

I never thought I could be grateful for a D, but Mr. Trimble’s insightful courage was the catalyst that transformed my writing and my character. Just because other people applaud you for being the best doesn’t mean you’re doing your best . 

AP Composition is now recorded as an A on my high school transcript, and Cooper and I are still locked in a tight race for the finish line. But, thanks to Mr. Trimble, I have developed a different paradigm for evaluation: my best. And the more I apply myself, the better my best becomes. 

Word Count: 627

College essay checklist
The essay begins with an attention-grabbing statement that immediately captures the essence of surprise requested in the prompt. The story then unfolds in a logical sequence, taking the reader on a journey of unexpected transformation.
The student uses an accessible, casual tone that works well in light of his expertise in writing. His use of dialogue with nicknames and colloquialism brings a conversational tone to the storyline.
The student openly shows his motivation for success and his feelings toward his peers and teacher. However, he demonstrates humility in accepting criticism, responding with a diligent attempt to improve his writing skills.
The essay concludes with growth in the student’s character and self-discipline while his circumstances remained the same. He brings the prompt full circle, expressing his gratitude toward his teacher.

This student narrates how she initially went to church for a boy but instead ended up confronting her selfishness by helping others.

Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.

Originally, I went to church not because I was searching for Jesus but because I liked a boy.

Isaac Ono wasn’t the most athletic boy in our class, nor was he the cutest. But I was amazed by his unusual kindness toward everyone. If someone was alone or left out, he’d walk up to them and say hello or invite them to hang out with him and his friends.

I started waking up at 7:30 a.m. every Sunday morning to attend Grace Hills Presbyterian, where Isaac’s father was the pastor. I would strategically sit in a pew not too close but close enough to Isaac that when the entire congregation was instructed to say “Peace be with you,” I could “happen” to shake Isaac’s hand and make small talk.

One service, as I was staring at the back of Isaac’s head, pondering what to say to him, my hearing suddenly tuned in to his father’s sermon.

“There’s no such thing as a good or bad person.”

My eyes snapped onto Pastor Marcus.

“I used to think I was a good person who came from a respectable family and did nice things. But people aren’t inherently good or bad. They just make good or bad choices.”

My mind raced through a mental checklist of whether my past actions fell mostly into the former or latter category.

“As it says in Deuteronomy 30:15, ‘I have set before you today life and good, death and evil.’ Follow in the footsteps of Jesus and do good.”

I glanced to my left and saw Margaret, underlining passages in her study Bible and taking copious notes.

Months earlier, I had befriended Margaret. We had fourth-period Spanish together but hadn’t interacted much. She was friends with Isaac, so I started hanging out with her to get closer to him. But eventually, the two of us were spending hours in the Starbucks parking lot having intense discussions about religion, boys, and our futures until we had to return home before curfew.

After hearing the pastor’s sermon, I realized that what I had admired about Isaac was also present in Margaret and other people at church: a welcoming spirit. I’m pretty sure Margaret knew of my ulterior motives for befriending her, but she never called me out on it.

After that day, I started paying more attention to Pastor Marcus’s sermons and less attention to Isaac. One year, our youth group served Christmas Eve dinner to the homeless and ate with them. I sat across from a woman named Lila who told me how child services had taken away her four-year-old daughter because of her financial and living situation.

A few days later, as I sat curled up reading the book of James, my heart suddenly felt heavy.

“If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace, be warmed and filled,’ without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that?”

I thought back to Pastor Marcus’s sermon on good and bad actions, Lila and her daughter, and the times I had passed people in need without even saying hello.

I decided to put my faith into action. The next week, I started volunteering at the front desk of a women’s shelter, helping women fill out forms or watching their kids while they talked with social workers.

From working for the past year at the women’s shelter, I now know I want to major in social work, caring for others instead of focusing on myself. I may not be a good person (or a bad one), but I can make good choices, helping others with every opportunity God gives me.

Word count: 622

College essay checklist
The narrative begins by clearly identifying the prompt: the event of church attendance. It has a clear story arc, starting with the student’s church experiences, moving on to her self-examination, and concluding with the changes she made to her behavior and goals to serve others.
The student uses dialogue to highlight key moments of realization and transformation. The essay’s tone is casual, helping the reader feel comfortable in the student’s thoughts and memory.
The student displays an unusual level of self-awareness and maturity by revealing an ulterior motive, the ability to self-reflect, and a desire to authentically apply theoretical teachings in a real-world setting.
While the topic of church and conversion is common, the student’s narrative weaves in unexpected elements to create interest while clearly answering the prompt.

This essay shows how a student’s natural affinity for solving a Rubik’s cube developed her self-understanding, academic achievement, and inspiration for her future career.

Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?

The worst part about writing is putting down my Rubik’s cube so that I can use my hands to type. That’s usually the worst part of tackling my to-do list: setting aside my Rubik’s cube. My parents call it an obsession. But, for me, solving a Rubik’s cube challenges my brain as nothing else can.

It started on my ninth birthday. I invited three friends for a sleepover party, and I waited to open my presents right before bed. Wrapping paper, ribbons, and bows flew through the air as I oohed and aahed over each delightful gift! However, it was the last gift—a 3 x 3 x 3 cube of little squares covered in red, green, blue, yellow, white, and orange—that intrigued me.

I was horrified when Bekka ripped it out of my hands and messed it all up! I had no idea how to make all the sides match again. I waited until my friends were fast asleep. Then, I grabbed that cube and studied it under my blanket with a flashlight, determined to figure out how to restore it to its former pristine state.

Within a few weeks, I had discovered the secret. To practice, I’d take my cube with me to recess and let the other kids time me while I solved it in front of them. The better I became, the more they gathered around. But I soon realized that their attention didn’t matter all that much. I loved solving cubes for hours wherever I was: at lunch, riding in the car, or alone in my room.

Cross. White corners. Middle-layer edges. Yellow cross. Sune and anitsune. 

The sequential algorithms became second nature, and with the assistance of a little black digital timer, I strove to solve the cube faster , each time attempting to beat my previous record. I watched speed solvers on YouTube, like Australia’s Feliks Zemdegs and Max Park from Massachusetts, but I wasn’t motivated to compete as they did. I watched their videos to learn how to improve my time. I liked finding new, more efficient ways of mastering the essential 78 separate cube-solving algorithms.

Now, I understand why my passion for my Rubik’s cube has never waned. Learning and applying the various algorithms soothes my brain and centers my emotions, especially when I feel overwhelmed from being around other people. Don’t get me wrong: I like other people—just in doses.

While some people get recharged by spending time with others, I can finally breathe when I’m alone with my cube. Our psychology teacher says the difference between an extrovert and an introvert is the situations that trigger their brains to produce dopamine. For me, it’s time away, alone, flipping through cube patterns to set a new personal best.

Sometimes, the world doesn’t cooperate with introverts, requiring them to interact with many people throughout the day. That’s why you’ll often find me in the stairwell or a library corner attempting to master another one of the 42 quintillion ways to solve a cube. My parents tease me that when I’ve “had enough” of anything, my fingers get a Rubik’s itch, and I suddenly disappear. I’m usually occupied for a while, but when I finally emerge, I feel centered, prepared to tackle my next task.

Secretly, I credit my cube with helping me earn top marks in AP Calculus, Chemistry, and Physics. It’s also responsible for my interest in computer engineering. It seems I just can’t get enough of those algorithms, which is why I want to study the design and implementation of cybersecurity software—all thanks to my Rubik’s cube.

Just don’t tell my parents! It would ruin all the fun!

Word count: 607

College essay checklist
The student immediately captures the reader’s attention with an unexpected statement that captures the prompt’s focus on captivation. Her writing clearly illustrates her love for the Rubik’s cube, showing how the cube has helped her emotionally and academically and inspired her choice of major.
The student uses a conversational tone while inserting elevated language and concepts that surround her field of interest. She also uses the “I” to personalize her experience.
Through her detailed narrative of her Rubik’s cube hobby, the student demonstrates perseverance, focus, curiosity, and an uncanny ability to solve problems.
The student shows awareness of her introversion by explaining how the Rubik’s cube helps her emotionally recharge. She also credits her hobby with helping her in her studies and inspiring her intended major.

In this free topic essay, the student uses a montage structure inspired by the TV show Iron Chef America to demonstrate his best leadership moments.

Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you’ve already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.

Iron Chef America: College Essay Edition

The time has come to answer college’s most difficult question: Whose story shows glory?

This is … Iron Chef America: College Essay Edition!

Welcome to Kitchen Stadium! Today we have Chef Brett Lowell. Chef Brett will be put to the test to prove he has what it takes to attend university next fall.

And the secret ingredient is … leadership! He must include leadership in each of his dishes, which will later be evaluated by a panel of admissions judges.

So now, America, with a creative mind and empty paper, I say unto you in the words of my teacher: “Let’s write!”

Appetizer: My first leadership experience

A mountain of mismatched socks, wrinkled jeans, and my dad’s unironed dress shirts sat in front of me. Laundry was just one of many chores that welcomed me home once I returned from my after-school job at Baskin Robbins, a gig I had taken last year to help Dad pay the rent. A few years earlier, I wasn’t prepared to cook dinners, pay utility bills, or pick up and drop off my brothers. I thought those jobs were reserved for parents. However, when my father was working double shifts at the power plant and my mom was living in Tucson with her new husband, Bill, I stepped up and took care of the house and my two younger brothers.

Main course: My best leadership experience

Between waiting for the pasta water to boil and for the next laundry cycle to be finished, I squeezed in solving a few practice precalculus problems to prepare for the following week’s mathletics competition. I liked how the equations always had clear, clean answers, which calmed me among the mounting responsibilities of home life. After leading my team to the Minnesota State Finals for two years in a row, I was voted team captain. Although my home responsibilities often competed with my mathlete duties, I tried to be as productive as possible in my free time. On the bus ride home, I would often tackle 10 to 20 functions or budget the following week’s meals and corresponding grocery list. My junior year was rough, but both my home and my mathlete team needed me.

Dessert: My future leadership hopes 

The first thing I ever baked was a chocolate cake in middle school. This was around the time that Mom had just moved out and I was struggling with algebra. Troubles aside, one day my younger brother Simon needed a contribution for his school’s annual bake sale, and the PTA moms wouldn’t accept anything store-bought. So I carefully measured out the teaspoons and cups of various flours, powders, and oils, which resulted in a drooping, too-salty disaster.

Four years later, after a bakery’s worth of confections and many hours of study, I’ve perfected my German chocolate cake and am on my way to mastering Calculus AB. I’ve also thrown out the bitter-tasting parts of my past such as my resentment and anger toward my mom. I still miss having her at home, but whenever I have a baking question or want to update her on my mathlete team’s success, I call her or chat with her over text.

Whether in school or life, I see problems as opportunities, not obstacles, to find a better way to solve them more efficiently. I hope to continue improving my problem-solving skills next fall by majoring in mathematics and statistics.

Time’s up! 

We hope you’ve enjoyed this tasting of Chef Lowell’s leadership experiences. Next fall, tune in to see him craft new leadership adventures in college. He’s open to refining his technique and discovering new recipes.

Word count: 612

College essay checklist
The student uses a popular TV cooking show as an unexpected concept to display his leadership abilities. Since the prompt is open-ended, the student has more room to craft his response.
The essay juxtaposes the contrived nature of a TV show’s script with a conversational narrative of the student’s leadership stories.
Each story effectively showcases the student’s leadership by showing, not telling. Rather than saying “I’m a great leader,” he provides specific instances of his best moments of demonstrated leadership.
The student honestly shares his reservations about his mother’s new life but shows how he was able to reconcile aspects of their relationship as time passed.

If you want to know more about academic writing , effective communication , or parts of speech , make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples.

Academic writing

  • Writing process
  • Transition words
  • Passive voice
  • Paraphrasing

 Communication

  • How to end an email
  • Ms, mrs, miss
  • How to start an email
  • I hope this email finds you well
  • Hope you are doing well

 Parts of speech

  • Personal pronouns
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The Common App essay is your primary writing sample within the Common Application, a college application portal accepted by more than 900 schools. All your prospective schools that accept the Common App will read this essay to understand your character, background, and value as a potential student.

Since this essay is read by many colleges, avoid mentioning any college names or programs; instead, save tailored answers for the supplementary school-specific essays within the Common App.

When writing your Common App essay , choose a prompt that sparks your interest and that you can connect to a unique personal story.

No matter which prompt you choose, admissions officers are more interested in your ability to demonstrate personal development , insight, or motivation for a certain area of study.

To decide on a good college essay topic , spend time thoughtfully answering brainstorming questions. If you still have trouble identifying topics, try the following two strategies:

  • Identify your qualities → Brainstorm stories that demonstrate these qualities
  • Identify memorable stories → Connect your qualities to these stories

You can also ask family, friends, or mentors to help you brainstorm topics, give feedback on your potential essay topics, or recall key stories that showcase your qualities.

A standout college essay has several key ingredients:

  • A unique, personally meaningful topic
  • A memorable introduction with vivid imagery or an intriguing hook
  • Specific stories and language that show instead of telling
  • Vulnerability that’s authentic but not aimed at soliciting sympathy
  • Clear writing in an appropriate style and tone
  • A conclusion that offers deep insight or a creative ending

Cite this Scribbr article

If you want to cite this source, you can copy and paste the citation or click the “Cite this Scribbr article” button to automatically add the citation to our free Citation Generator.

Courault, K. (2023, May 31). Common App Essays | 7 Strong Examples with Commentary. Scribbr. Retrieved June 18, 2024, from https://www.scribbr.com/college-essay/common-app-examples/

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How to Write a Commentary

Last Updated: May 19, 2023 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Richard Perkins . Richard Perkins is a Writing Coach, Academic English Coordinator, and the Founder of PLC Learning Center. With over 24 years of education experience, he gives teachers tools to teach writing to students and works with elementary to university level students to become proficient, confident writers. Richard is a fellow at the National Writing Project. As a teacher leader and consultant at California State University Long Beach's Global Education Project, Mr. Perkins creates and presents teacher workshops that integrate the U.N.'s 17 Sustainable Development Goals in the K-12 curriculum. He holds a BA in Communications and TV from The University of Southern California and an MEd from California State University Dominguez Hills. There are 8 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 680,363 times.

At some point in your life, you'll probably have to write a commentary. Whether you're a teacher, editor, student, or amateur critic, knowing how to constructively analyze someone's work is a useful skill. There isn't a magical formula for writing a commentary. The commentary you write depends upon what you're reviewing, why you're giving feedback, and what you think about the work. No matter what you’re working on, having a clear goal and strong writing will help make your commentary successful.

Writing a Literary Commentary

Step 1 Define your thesis.

  • Your thesis is your argument or your point of view. This is where you take a stance, and spend the rest of the essay supporting your thesis.
  • Maybe you are writing a commentary on Great Expectations . Your thesis could be, “Not only is Dickens’ tale engaging, it is also an insightful commentary on the differences between social classes in industrial Britain.”

Richard Perkins

  • You might write at the top of your outline, “Important Themes in Great Expectations”. You could then make bullet points such as “Setting”, “Ambition”, “Class”, etc.

Step 3 Introduce your topic.

  • You might start by saying, “ Great Expectations is full of imagery that makes the reader feel as if they are in 19th century England with Pip. Dickens’ novel about class, ambition, and love sheds important light on the social divides of the time.”
  • You could then list the themes that you will discuss in the body of your commentary.

Step 4 Use specific examples to support your thesis.

  • An excellent specific example to illustrate this theme is pointing out that the character remains in her wedding dress, despite being jilted decades before.

Step 5 Connect your examples back to the theme.

  • You might write something like, “Miss Havisham is an example of the theme that love can sometimes go terribly wrong. This is also an important theme when examining the relationship between Pip and Estella.”
  • Make sure to use smooth transitions. When you move to a new example, use a good transition word or phrase. Some examples are “similarly”, “conversely”, and “again”.

Step 6 Write a strong conclusion.

  • In your commentary on Great Expectations , you would want to make sure that you emphasize your summary again: this is a good example of class divisions and how ambition is not always the best quality.
  • You might also choose to compare it to another book from the same period to illustrate why the work by Dickens is significant. However, you generally shouldn’t introduce new information in your conclusion.

Creating Data Commentary

Step 1 Understand the guidelines.

  • You might also be asked by your boss or teacher to write a data commentary. Make sure to ask about their expectations, such as length.

Step 2 Present your summary.

  • For example, if the research is about the graduation rate in the Chicago Public Schools, you need to explain the numbers and illustrate why the results are important.

Step 3 Emphasize key points.

  • You might say something like, “As shown in Figure 1.2, the costs of healthcare have risen at a steady rate since 2000.”

Step 4 Provide a conclusion.

  • As in the rest of your data commentary, your conclusion should refer to specific pieces of data.

Step 5 Include your resources.

  • You should include a specific section for resources at the end of your data commentary.
  • Any time you cite numbers or a quote, make sure to provide a reference.

Commentary Outlines

topics for commentary essays

Expert Q&A

Richard Perkins

  • If you are writing a commentary for a class, make sure to carefully follow the instructions. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
  • Make sure to carefully edit and polish your writing. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

topics for commentary essays

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  • ↑ https://www.bucks.edu/media/bcccmedialibrary/pdf/HOWTOWRITEALITERARYANALYSISESSAY_10.15.07_001.pdf
  • ↑ Richard Perkins. Writing Coach & Academic English Coordinator. Expert Interview. 1 September 2021.
  • ↑ http://www.udc.edu/docs/asc/Outline_Structure_for_Literary_Analysis_Essay_HATMAT.pdf
  • ↑ https://www.germanna.edu/wp-content/uploads/tutoring/handouts/Literary-Analysis.pdf
  • ↑ https://writingcenter.unc.edu/writing-data-commentary/
  • ↑ https://ebooks.hslu.ch/academicwriting/chapter/4-5-results/
  • ↑ https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/arts/modernlanguages/intranet/undergraduate/skills/commesswriting/commentarywriting/
  • ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4789530/

About This Article

Richard Perkins

To write a commentary, write about your observations and analysis of the text you read. You should craft a clear and specific thesis statement about the novel, poem, or play you are evaluating. Your thesis statement should explain your stance or argument about the text. Use this thesis statement to build a brief outline of your commentary and then choose specific details from the text to support your argument. Then, add an introduction to give your reader some context for the themes you will discuss. For tips from our Education reviewer on how to write a data commentary, read on! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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How to Write a Commentary Essay (With Examples)

Apr 29, 2024 | 0 comments

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Apr 29, 2024 | Blog | 0 comments

 Commentary essays are a common assignment in higher education, requiring students to express their opinions and back them up with evidence. This type of essay writing allows for deeper topic analysis, providing valuable insights and potentially sparking important discussions. However, many students struggle with the structure and format of these essays. Fear not, as this article will provide a step-by-step guide on How to Write a Commentary Essay, complete with examples to help you understand the process better. Whether you’re analyzing a piece of literature, a current event, or a social issue, mastering the art of commentary writing is essential for any student looking to excel in their academic endeavors. Following the writing tips, guidelines for writing a commentary essay and examples provided in this article, you can craft a well-structured and persuasive commentary essay that will impress your professors and classmates. So, let’s dive in and learn how to write a commentary essay like a pro. 

What is a Commentary Essay?

A commentary essay is a written piece that provides an opinion on a particular subject. It is usually written in response to another work, such as a blog post, article, or book passage. In a commentary essay, the writer will offer their take on the subject, using evidence and examples to support their claims.

Commentary essays are commonly assigned in academic institutions to help students develop their critical thinking skills and provide an individual perspective on a subject. They are particularly useful for helping readers understand a topic in more depth and can be used to evaluate various concepts and analyze a subject in a broader scope.

Commentary essays are distinct from other types of essays in that they allow the use of the first-person pronoun “I” to present the writer’s point of view. They also do not require a general topic discussion or a thesis statement. Instead, the focus is on providing a detailed analysis and description of a specific text, such as a newly published article or story.

What is a literary commentary?

A literary commentary is a detailed analysis of a text, such as a poem or novel, that focuses on specific aspects of the work. The commentary often includes an examination of the author’s use of literary devices, themes, and figurative language. It can also delve into the historical or cultural context of the text. A stanza by stanza analysis is a common part of the commentary, where the reader breaks down the poem into smaller sections to examine the meaning of each. The author may provide their opinion on the work, but a literary commentary should also demonstrate in-depth knowledge of the text being analyzed.

While some literary commentaries can be formulaic in their approach, a truly insightful commentary will broaden the reader’s understanding of the text and its applicability to the world around us. By delving into the intricacies of a work and exploring its themes and symbols, a commentary can offer new perspectives and interpretations that enrich the reader’s experience of the text. It is a way to engage with literature on a deeper level and appreciate the artistry behind the words.

How to Write a Commentary Essay: Step-by-Step Guide

Now that we understand what a commentary essay is let’s go through the steps to writing a literary commentary:

Step 1: Choose a Topic and Gather Information

Before writing your commentary essay, you must choose a topic and gather relevant information. This could be a newly published article or text you want to analyze and provide your perspective. Ensure you understand the text by reading it multiple times and noting any important keywords or ideas.

Step 2: Create a Commentary Essay Outline

Once you have gathered your information, it’s time to create a commentary essay outline for your essay. This will help you organize your thoughts and ideas and ensure your essay’s structure is clear. Your outline should include an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. In the introduction, you should provide basic information about the text, such as the title, author, publication date, and genre. You should also include a hook to grab the reader’s attention and a thesis statement that states your essay’s main claim.

Step 3: Write the Introduction

In the introduction, you should be able to provide context for your analyzing text and state your thesis or main argument. You can also list the themes that you will discuss in the body of your essay. Remember to keep the introduction brief and assume that your reader has already read the text.

Step 4: Write the Body Paragraphs

The body paragraphs are where you will support your thesis with specific examples and evidence. Each body paragraph should have a clear topic sentence that states what the paragraph will discuss and how it supports your thesis. Include relevant quotes or examples from the text and explain how they connect to your thesis. Make sure to use smooth transitions between examples to help your reader follow your argument.

Step 5: Write the Conclusion

In the conclusion, you will tie together the main points of your essay and emphasize the importance of the text you are analyzing. Summarize your argument and extend it by comparing it to other works or discussing its broader implications. However, avoid introducing new information in the conclusion.

Step 6: Revise and Edit

Once you have completed your first draft, it’s time to revise and edit your essay. Read it over multiple times to identify any areas that need improvement and make sure it follows your outline. You can also ask for feedback from friends or classmates to get a fresh perspective on your essay. Finally, proofread your essay for any spelling, grammar, or punctuation errors.

Tips for Writing a Strong Commentary Essay

Here are some additional tips to help you write a perfect commentary essay:

  • Create a strong and clear thesis statement that outlines the main points of your essay.
  • Engage your readers by giving them food for thought and urging them to think about the topic.
  • Treat your readers as co-thinkers and respect their intelligence, even if your perspectives differ.
  • Don’t be too neutral or objective; be sure to present your own viewpoint clearly.
  • Use the “This Shows That” Method to help you analyze and interpret the evidence effectively.
  • Use color-coding or ratiocination to visualize the connections between different parts of your essay.
  • Use the LET method (Literary Elements and Techniques) to identify literary techniques and devices used in the text and explain how they support your argument.
  • Use the concept of four cells to analyze each piece of text and combine your comments into a cohesive whole.

What is LET method and how it can be used in a commentary essay?

The LET method is a useful tool for analyzing literary texts and can be applied when writing a commentary essay. It stands for Literary Elements and Techniques and involves identifying and examining the various literary devices and techniques used by the author. Here’s a more detailed explanation of each component:

  • Literary Elements: These are the fundamental concepts and components of a literary work, such as plot, character, setting, theme, point of view, diction, syntax, and imagery. When using the LET method, you would identify and analyze the specific literary elements that the author has used and how they contribute to the overall meaning and effect of the text.
  • Elements and Techniques: This involves looking at how the literary elements are employed and the techniques the author uses to craft the work. For example, you might consider the author’s word choice (diction) and sentence structure (syntax) to understand their impact on the tone and style of the text. You would also analyze the literary techniques, such as metaphors, similes, symbolism, and motifs, and how they enhance the themes and ideas presented.

By using the LET method in your commentary essay, you can demonstrate your understanding of the text’s construction and the author’s craft. It allows you to dig deeper into the text and uncover the symbolism and underlying messages that the author has woven into the work. This method helps you support your arguments and interpretations with specific references to the text, making your commentary essay more persuasive and insightful.

Here’s an example to illustrate how the LET method can be applied:

Let’s say you’re writing a commentary essay on F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby.” Using the LET method, you might focus on the symbol of the green light and its repetition throughout the novel.

Literary Elements: The green light is a symbol that represents Gatsby’s longing for Daisy, who is always out of his reach. It is a recurring motif that appears in key moments of the novel.

Elements and Techniques: Fitzgerald uses the symbolism of the green light to explore themes of desire, social class, and the American Dream. The repetition of the symbol emphasizes the persistent nature of Gatsby’s pursuit of Daisy and the elusive nature of his dream. The description of the light as “always distant, always glowing” reflects the unattainable nature of Gatsby’s desires.

Good Commentary Essay Examples

The Importance of Embracing Neurodiversity in the Workplace

The Value of Interdisciplinary Collaboration in Addressing Complex Global Challenges

Get Help With Your Commentary Essay Paper

We are the best in the industry. Place your order today by clicking the ORDER NOW button above to get our expert writing help. When it comes to writing services for academic writing, including commentary essay writing, our team of professionals is able to write with precision and expertise. A commentary essay requires a general structure that is focused on a complete analysis of a particular topic. With a mixture of reflection, interpretation of the subject, and in-depth analysis, our writers can provide a detailed description from different perspectives. They are skilled at incorporating quotations, counterarguments, emotional responses, and key points into the essay to give a well-rounded and constructive view.

In Conclusion

Writing a commentary essay can be a challenging task, but with the right approach and practice, it can become easier. Remember to choose a topic that interests you and gather relevant information to support your analysis. Create a clear outline to structure your essay, and always revise and edit your work for clarity and coherence. By following these steps and tips, you’ll be well on your way to writing a strong and effective commentary essay.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you start a commentary in an essay.

To start a commentary in an essay, you should begin with an introduction that provides context for the content you’ll be analyzing. Your introduction should include a brief summary of the text or topic you are commenting on, along with your thesis statement that outlines your main argument.

What is an example of a commentary?

An example of a commentary could be a piece of social commentary found in news and magazine publications. This type of commentary often offers a critical analysis of the given subject matter, providing insights and personal opinions on social issues or current events.

What is the format of writing commentary?

The format of writing a commentary typically includes an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. In the introduction, present the focal article or main idea and provide some background information. Body paragraphs should contain your analysis and interpretation, supported with citations and references. Finally, the conclusion should summarize your main points and reinforce your personal opinion on the topic.

What is the structure of a commentary?

The structure of a commentary essay typically includes an introduction, body paragraphs that analyze and interpret the text, and a conclusion. Each body paragraph should focus on a specific aspect of the text and provide evidence to support your analysis.

How to write a commentary essay step-by-step?

To write a commentary essay, follow these steps:

  • Create an outline: Organize your thoughts and arguments before you start writing.
  • Complete analysis: Conduct a thorough analysis of the text or topic you are commenting on.
  • Writing process: Start with a strong introduction, develop your arguments in the body paragraphs, and conclude with a summary.
  • Support your points: Support your analysis with evidence, examples, and quotes.

Isabella Robertson

I am dedicated to creating engaging blog posts that provide valuable insights and advice to help students excel in their studies. From study tips to time management strategies, my goal is to empower students to reach their full potential.

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50 Argumentative Essay Topics

Illustration by Catherine Song. ThoughtCo. 

  • M.Ed., Education Administration, University of Georgia
  • B.A., History, Armstrong State University

An argumentative essay requires you to decide on a topic and argue for or against it. You'll need to back up your viewpoint with well-researched facts and information as well. One of the hardest parts is deciding which topic to write about, but there are plenty of ideas available to get you started. Then you need to take a position, do some research, and present your viewpoint convincingly.

Choosing a Great Argumentative Essay Topic

Students often find that most of their work on these essays is done before they even start writing. This means that it's best if you have a general interest in your subject. Otherwise, you might get bored or frustrated while trying to gather information. You don't need to know everything, though; part of what makes this experience rewarding is learning something new.

It's best if you have a general interest in your subject, but the argument you choose doesn't have to be one that you agree with.

The subject you choose may not necessarily be one you are in full agreement with, either. You may even be asked to write a paper from the opposing point of view. Researching a different viewpoint helps students broaden their perspectives. 

Ideas for Argument Essays

Sometimes, the best ideas are sparked by looking at many different options. Explore this list of possible topics and see if a few pique your interest. Write those down as you come across them, then think about each for a few minutes.

Which would you enjoy researching? Do you have a firm position on a particular subject? Is there a point you would like to make sure you get across? Did the topic give you something new to think about? Can you see why someone else may feel differently?

List of 50 Possible Argumentative Essay Topics

A number of these topics are rather controversial—that's the point. In an argumentative essay , opinions matter, and controversy is based on opinions. Just make sure your opinions are backed up by facts in the essay.   If these topics are a little too controversial or you don't find the right one for you, try browsing through persuasive essay and speech topics  as well.

  • Is global climate change  caused by humans?
  • Is the death penalty effective?
  • Is the U.S. election process fair?
  • Is torture ever acceptable?
  • Should men get paternity leave from work?
  • Are school uniforms beneficial?
  • Does the U.S. have a fair tax system?
  • Do curfews keep teens out of trouble?
  • Is cheating out of control?
  • Are we too dependent on computers?
  • Should animals be used for research?
  • Should cigarette smoking be banned?
  • Are cell phones dangerous?
  • Are law enforcement cameras an invasion of privacy?
  • Do we have a throwaway society ?
  • Is child behavior better or worse than it was years ago?
  • Should companies market to children?
  • Should the government have a say in our diets?
  • Does access to condoms prevent teen pregnancy?
  • Should members of Congress have term limits?
  • Are actors and professional athletes paid too much?
  • Are CEOs paid too much?
  • Should athletes be held to high moral standards?
  • Do violent video games cause behavior problems?
  • Should creationism be taught in public schools?
  • Are beauty pageants exploitative ?
  • Should English be the official language of the United States?
  • Should the racing industry be forced to use biofuels?
  • Should the alcohol-drinking age be increased or decreased?
  • Should everyone be required to recycle?
  • Is it okay for prisoners to vote (as they are in some states)?
  • Should same-sex marriage be legalized in more countries?
  • Are there benefits to attending a single-sex school ?
  • Does boredom lead to trouble?
  • Should schools be in session year-round ?
  • Does religion cause war?
  • Should the government provide health care?
  • Should abortion be illegal?
  • Should more companies expand their reproductive health benefits for employees?
  • Is homework harmful or helpful?
  • Is the cost of college too high?
  • Is college admission too competitive?
  • Should euthanasia be illegal?
  • Should the federal government legalize marijuana use nationally ?
  • Should rich people be required to pay more taxes?
  • Should schools require foreign language or physical education?
  • Is affirmative action fair?
  • Is public prayer okay in schools?
  • Are schools and teachers responsible for low test scores?
  • Is greater gun control a good idea?

How to Craft a Persuasive Argument

After you've decided on your essay topic, gather evidence to make your argument as strong as possible. Your research could even help shape the position your essay ultimately takes. As you craft your essay, remember to utilize persuasive writing techniques , such as invoking emotional language or citing facts from authoritative figures. 

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  • Bad Essay Topics for College Admissions
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  • Controversial Speech Topics
  • How to Write a Solid Thesis Statement
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  • A Sample Essay for Common Application Option #7: Topic of Your Choice
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  • Common Application Essay Option 6: Losing Track of Time

Commentary Essay Topics

50+ commentary essay topics for any academic occasion.

The essay is one of the most common assignments during study at universities. A well-handled essay delivered on time will consolidate knowledge of the subject and teach the basics of public speeches and the rules of creating scientific texts.

Often the quality of essays (especially commentary) is determined by the right choice of topic. Even though the essay topics about commentary can be almost any, its choice leads to difficulties. Sometimes the topic is too complex and does not correspond to the level of the performer.

Sometimes the topic is too little studied and more suitable for research or dissertation than a commentary essay. Also, the topic can be too narrow and therefore poorly represented in the sources available to the student. To avoid these and other mistakes, we have prepared this article.

How to Select the Best Commentary Essay Topic?

The simplest procedure is to choose a topic from a pre-prepared list. Choice of the topic from the list with recommendations below. Students of almost any specialty can use this list. This list is not a direct guide to use. You can independently modify any theme to suit your specialty better.

 Criteria for Selection of Commentary Essay Topic

Understanding of the topic. The topic you are going to address should be clear to you. If you cannot understand it 100%, then writing will be a great challenge.

The abundance of material . Try to find materials on the chosen topic on the Internet. If they are sufficient, they will serve as a basis for carrying out the main part of the work and assist you in formulating commentaries, conclusions, and other elements of the paper.

Having an interest in the subject . If you choose a topic you are not enthusiastic about, working with the paper will become torture. You will always force yourself to do unpleasant work. Listen to yourself. What topic resonates with you? What would you like to read and think about? Working with a topic like this will energize you and give you satisfaction.

Relevance of topic . Sometimes you have to choose a topic that is relevant to your future development. This applies primarily to the main subjects of your specialty. You can reduce your work by commenting on a few books related to your specialty.

Topic potential . We learn not so much to know but to develop a variety of skills and abilities. Many students do not like to write essays just because they think: «Why do I need it? I will not be able to apply this knowledge anywhere». This is especially true for additional subjects in the field of specialization.

However, if you treat a paper as an opportunity to learn how to express thoughts, analyze, structure, generalize and present material, it does not seem pointless. So you should look at the potential of this or that theme. Is there room for creativity? What can I learn from working on it?

List of Commentary Essay Topics: TOP-15

  • The problem of adequacy of interpersonal perception.
  • New mechanisms of public administration in developed countries.
  • Interpersonal attraction factors.
  • The technology chain, criteria for evaluating its performance.
  • Image as a means of compensating for unattractiveness.
  • The potential for imposing influence from a leader in a crowd.
  • Gender socialization.
  • Features of innovative processes in land management.
  • The modern family is an institution of socialization.
  • Psychology of manipulation .
  • Factors for successful socialization.
  • Evaluation of the activities of state and municipal employees.
  • Psychology of happiness.
  • The concept of personal influence.
  • Ethnic (or age) stereotypes are social stereotypes.

10 Social Commentary Essay Topics

  • Sources of social conflict.
  • Social norms of behavior in primitive and modern societies.
  • Theory of social inequality.
  • Social conflict. Management of social conflict.
  • Organization of social processes.
  • Moral and ethical standards as the basis for the functioning of the modern state and municipal service.
  • Satanism is a social phenomenon in the United States.
  • Sociology of youth (youth extremism and youth subculture).
  • Students and their social role in society.
  • Suicide is a form of deviant behavior.

10 Personal Commentary Essay Topics

  • Subcultures as a way of interpersonal and intercultural communication.
  • Society and television in the 21st Century.
  • The place of the United States in the world community.
  • The main areas of innovation in real estate management.
  • Unemployment: causes, forms, methods of regulation.
  • Innovation as an object of innovation management.
  • Classification of innovations. The innovation process and its main characteristics.
  • State support for innovation.
  • The essence of innovative governance, its goals, functions, principles.
  • Interpersonal perception when choosing someone who matters.

10 Higher Education Topics for Commentary Essay

  • Modern classification of cryptocurrency enterprises.
  • Competitiveness as a factor in measuring business performance.
  • New organizational forms of innovative enterprises.
  • Importance of strategic management for modern enterprises. Types of innovation strategies.
  • Search methods and techniques for new business ideas.
  • Tasks and basic techniques of municipal and state projects.
  • Development of a business plan.
  • Basic methods for assessing the effectiveness of innovation.
  • Innovation performance measurement system.
  • Methods for evaluating the effectiveness of business based on discounting.

10 Commentary Essay Ideas

  • Managing the creation and use of new cryptocurrency.
  • Finance and industry group and its organization.
  • Financial support of cryptocurrency projects.
  • Creation of business plan structure.
  • Features of the socialization of the individual in modern conditions
  • Key indicators of innovation performance.
  • Intellectual property market.
  • Comparison of venture business in the USA and EU.
  • Innovation marketing.
  • Intellectual property as the object of modern entrepreneurship.

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How to Write a Commentary Essay?

What is a commentary essay

Commentary essays are exciting and can be used in many real-life situations. Unfortunately, schools sometimes don’t teach this important type of writing. That means students might not know how to write one. But we want to help! We’ll begin by explaining what commentary in an essay is. Then, we’ll provide you with guidelines, tips and commentary essay examples to help you write a great literary commentary.

What is a commentary essay?

Wondering what does commentary mean in an essay ? Here is the commentary essay definition :

A commentary essay is where you share your thoughts, analysis, or reaction about a specific part of an essay or story. People often use it in newspapers or magazines to do a thorough analysis and describe a particular text.

When you write commentary, you’re telling your reader how the details connect to the main idea. Commentary doesn’t have facts; it helps explain why the details matter for the topic. Additionally, writing a commentary essay is not hard. Just stick to the structure, and you’ll master this kind of academic writing.

Now you have a clear understanding of what is commentary in an essay . Let’s move to its purpose. 

What is the purpose of commentary in an essay ?

In an essay, commentary is like adding extra details and thoughts to explain and analyze the main points. It’s not just about repeating information; it’s about digging deeper to understand the meaning behind what’s being said.

Here’s why commentary is important:

Understanding Meaning: Commentary helps the writer explain why certain facts, evidence, or quotes are important. It helps the reader see the context and the deeper meaning behind the information.

Thinking Critically: It’s not just about saying what happened; it’s about thinking hard about the evidence given. Commentary involves looking at how different things connect and explaining how they help us understand the topic better.

Personal Touch: Writers use commentary to share their own thoughts, opinions, or insights on the topic. This adds a personal touch and makes the essay more interesting.

Connecting Ideas: Commentary links the supporting details back to the main point or argument of the essay. It shows why the evidence matters and how it supports the overall message.

Clear Explanation: Sometimes, things can get a bit complicated. Commentary steps in to clear up any confusion and explain tricky ideas in a way that everyone can understand.

Keeping Interest: Well-written commentary keeps the reader interested by offering interesting thoughts, asking questions, or showing different points of view. It gets the reader involved and thinking.

Smooth Transitions: Commentary acts like a bridge between different parts of the essay. It helps move from one idea to the next smoothly, guiding the reader through the logical flow of the argument.

Commentary Essay Outline

To make your writing easier, try creating an outline for your essay. Just jot down the introduction and body paragraphs. You can’t finalize the conclusion until you’ve written the first two parts.

Introduction

  • Start by talking about the topic and giving some background. 
  • Then, briefly mention the points you’ll talk about in the main part. 
  • Finally, share a clear thesis statement that tells the main idea of your commentary.

Example: Your teacher assigned you a topic ‘ The impact of social media on mental health’ . 

Now you’re wondering how you can start writing a commentary essay? Firstly, you should give some background information about the topic.

Background information: With a growing number of social media sites, worries about how they affect mental health have grown.

Main Points: We will discuss potential negative outcomes such as self-esteem, relationships, and anxiety/depression.

Thesis statement: Social media has transformed communication, but overuse can harm mental health. Some studies have indicated that too much time on social media can lower self-esteem, ruin relationships, and increase stress and sadness.

Body Paragraphs

  • Each paragraph should talk about one thing connected to your main idea. 
  • Use analysis, evidence, and examples to explain your points. 
  • Begin with the most important point, then go down the list. 
  • If there are counterarguments, address them in the last paragraphs.

For example

Bad self-image: People who use social media a lot see photos and postings that make others look ideal. This can make them feel useless. Seeing all those flawless photographs may make someone feel bad about themselves.

Hurting relationships: Some people spend too much time online instead of socializing. This can make actual interactions and connections difficult. If someone is always on their phone during dinner, others may feel neglected and unimportant.

Stress and sadness increase: Overusing social media can also increase anxiety and depression. Someone may feel like they’re missing out on enjoyment by seeing positive posts. Others can feel hurt when someone says harsh things online.

In the end, summarize the most important points from your commentary and show their significance. You can do this by repeating the main idea or by clearly stating how your insights help us understand the topic better.

In short, while social media can be fun and useful, it’s important to not overuse it. Too much time on these platforms can lower self-esteem, ruin relationships, and raise stress and sorrow. Our mental health depends on finding a balance and using social media wisely.

How to write a good commentary essay ?

Do you know how to start a commentary essay ? To make a great commentary essay, make sure you have these three important things:

Thinking and Writing

  • Think about and write down your thoughts on a topic.
  • Use critical thinking to analyze and reflect on it.

Easy-to-Follow Structure

  • Organize your essay like a story: beginning, middle, and end.
  • Start by introducing your topic, then discuss it, and finish by summarizing your main points.
  • Figure out the main point you want to make in your essay.
  • This main idea, called a thesis statement, helps guide your reader through your writing.

If you want your writing to be great, add examples to prove your main point. Use quotes from books or other sources to show your ideas are based on real facts, not just guesses. It’s crucial to mention where you got your information in a commentary essay, and you’ll likely use a common citation style like APA.

How to add commentary in an essay ?

Wondering how to make good commentary in an essay? Incorporating commentary into your essay should feel like chatting with a friend about a book or movie. Choose a detail from a book you’ve read, share your thoughts authentically, and support your ideas with context analysis and direct quotes – it’s crucial for this type of essay commentary.

What does commentary mean in a paragraph?

In each paragraph of your commentary essay, talk about different parts of your chosen topic. Start with a sentence that tells what the paragraph is about. It’s perfecty fine to begin with a quote or describe something specific, like the author’s writing style or the setting of a story. Keep adding paragraphs, each one building on your opinion to support the main idea. Begin with the paragraph that has the most important evidence and move towards the less important ones.

How to select the best commentary essay topics ?

Picking the best topic for your commentary essay is like choosing the most interesting thing to talk about. First, it’s super important to pick something you really like. If you’re excited about the topic, your essay will be more interesting to read.

How to select the best commentary essay topics

How to select the best commentary essay topics

Audience consideration

Think about what’s important right now and what your readers care about. Go for topics that matter and catch people’s interest. It’s also smart to know who you’re talking to – what they worry about, what they like – when you’re picking your topic.

Originality 

Make your essay special by coming up with a new way to look at things. Being original, like having a fresh perspective or a unique angle on a common topic, makes your essay stand out. And don’t forget to focus on one specific thing instead of trying to cover too much. It helps you dig deep and really understand what you’re writing about.

Controversy or debate

If your topic can start a debate or get people talking, that’s a plus! Controversial topics or ones that make people see things differently are more likely to grab attention. Talking about what’s happening right now adds an extra punch to your essay, making it more powerful.

Research opportunities 

Practical stuff is important too. Make sure your topic lets you find lots of information to back up what you’re saying. And try looking at your topic from different angles, considering all sides of the story.

Clarity of purpose 

Know why you’re writing your essay – are you trying to inform, persuade, or analyze something? Pick a topic that matches your goal. And if your topic is something you love and is important, it will show in your writing.

Brainstorming 

Brainstorming, or jotting down lots of ideas, is a great way to find the perfect topic. Check if your ideas match your interests, are important, and can be analyzed deeply. Also, read some sample essays to get inspired and see what works.

Getting feedback from friends or teachers can help too. They might have cool suggestions or see things you didn’t notice. And it’s okay to change your topic if you find something more interesting as you do your research.

10 Best Commentary Essay Topics 

When choosing a topic for your commentary essay, you have a lot of options. The key is to pick something that genuinely interests you and that you know a lot about. Here are some commentary essay examples topic:

  • How Protagonists are Portrayed in Modern Movies.
  • Changes in Friendship in J.D. Salinger’s “The Catcher in the Rye.”
  • How Immigration Policies and Cultural Diversity Affect Your Country.
  • Effects of Social Isolation on Youth, Physically and Mentally.
  • The Use of Sarcasm in George Orwell’s “Animal Farm.”
  • How Political Satire Affects People’s Voting Choices.
  • The Role of Irony in Oscar Wilde’s “The Importance of Being Earnest.”
  • Talking about Privacy Ethics in the Digital Age
  • How Social Relationships are Shown in Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice.”
  • The Impact of Video Games on Teenagers’ Thinking Skills.

Do’s and Don’ts in Commentary Essay

Always refer to this checklist when writing a commentary. These will help you write a great commentary. This checklist covers commentary essay dos, don’ts, and suggestions. 

Follow these simple rules when writing a commentary in a essay :

  • Stick to talking about the content; don’t express personal likes or dislikes.
  • Always mention where you got your information.
  • Use a title that summarizes your work, including keywords from your thesis and the original piece.
  • Share all the details about the original content, like the author and when it was published.
  • Double-check your work for grammar and structure mistakes.

Don’ts

Keep it simple when writing a commentary in essay:

  • Don’t summarize everything because it will give no value to the reader. Just mention the main points briefly.
  • Only include citations that support your ideas, and avoid unnecessary ones.
  • Avoid making big, general statements.
  • Never copy directly from sources to prevent plagiarism.

Commentary essay vs analytical essay

A commentary essay and an analytical essay share similarities but also have distinct characteristics:

Emphasizes the writer’s personal opinions, insights, and reflections. Allows subjective engagement with the topic. Maintains a more objective and impartial tone. Focuses on providing a thorough examination of the subject.
Primary goal is to interpret and reflect on the significance of facts, evidence, or quotes. Delves into the deeper meaning. Emphasis on a comprehensive analysis of the topic, exploring relationships between different elements.
Embraces subjectivity, allowing the writer to bring unique perspective and experiences into the analysis. Generally minimizes personal opinions and emotions, aiming for a more balanced and objective evaluation.
Seeks to engage the reader by posing questions, presenting alternative viewpoints, and fostering active participation. Focuses on presenting evidence-based arguments, relying on factual information and logical reasoning.

Tips on writing a commentary essay

Here are simple steps to make your commentary outstanding:

Tips on writing a commentary essay

  • Identify the main issue.
  • Think about the theme and who you’re talking to.
  • Decide how to organize your essay and its style.
  • Plan how to share your information clearly.
  • Be clear about your language and writing style.
  • Choose artistic tools to enhance your writing.
  • Decide what to include and what to skip.
  • Transform your essay into a well-spoken speech.
  • Seek feedback from others.
  • Proofread and edit your final draft.

If you still have questions, let the experts handle it. We’re ready to write your commentary essay anytime! Our student-friendly prices and customer-focused service ensure peace of mind. Order from one of the best essay writing services today!

If you ever struggle with writing a commentary sentence in an essay or need help with any part of your schoolwork, you might wonder, ‘Can someone do my assignment for me?’ The answer is yes! You can get professional help to make sure your assignments, including commentary essays, are well done and express your thoughts effectively. You can also buy essays online. 

Services that offer help with assignments can connect you with experienced writers who know how to create interesting commentary essays. Whether you need help picking the right topic, improving your writing style, or making sure you cite your sources correctly, professionals can assist you.

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Essay Writing Guide

Essay Topics

Last updated on: Dec 19, 2023

Essay Topics: 100+ Best Essay Topics for your Guidance

By: Nova A.

13 min read

Reviewed By: Rylee W.

Published on: Jan 29, 2019

Essay Topics

Let’s face it, essay writing can be tedious and boring. Spending hours to write a good essay is difficult, and brainstorming essay topic ideas can be even more confusing.

This is what makes writing essays difficult and time-consuming. Luckily, you can learn  essay writing  with practice and by following some good examples. But before that, you should know how to choose a good and engaging topic for your essay.

To help you get started, we have categorized a list of a number of different types of essay topic lists.

Essay Topics

On this Page

Argumentative Essay Topics

An argumentative essay investigates a topic in great detail, forms an argument over it, and defends it using supporting data.

Below are some good argumentative essay topic ideas to help you draft winning essays.

  • School students should be allowed to curate their high school curriculum.
  • The role of physical education in the school system.
  • Should the death sentence be implemented globally?
  • It should be illegal to use certain types of animals for experiments and other research purposes.
  • Should the government do more to improve accessibility for people with physical disabilities?
  • Do people learn the art of becoming a politician, or are they born with it?
  • Social media platform owners should monitor and block comments containing hateful language.
  • Does technology play a role in making people feel more isolated?
  • Will there ever be a time when there will be no further technological advancements?
  • It should be illegal to produce and sell tobacco.
  • Girls should be motivated to take part in sports.
  • Rape victims should abort their unborn children.
  • Fathers should get equal paternity leave.
  • Do teenagers get into trouble because they are bored?
  • Individuals who have failed at parenting should be punished.
  • Vaping is less harmful than smoking cigarettes.
  • Covid-19 vaccination has more cons than pros.
  • Social media is the real cause of teenage depression.
  • Is the American education system perfect for society?
  • Recycling should be made compulsory.

Choosing a strong topic is key to writing a great essay. Have a look at our blog to select good  argumentative essay topics  to impress the audience.

Persuasive Essay Topics

A persuasive essay is similar to an argumentative paper. However, in it, the writer wants to convince the readers of their point of view. Simple essay topics would make better essays as they help the students stay focused.

Below is a list of some good persuasive essay topics for you:

  • Energy drinks should be banned in schools and colleges.
  • Gambling should be banned in the United States.
  • Should abortions be banned worldwide?
  • Hunting is an immoral act.
  • Is it okay to use animals in a circus?
  • Harmful dogs should be euthanized.
  • Cell phones should not be allowed in schools.
  • Teachers should pass a professional exam, just like students.
  • Schools should reduce the workload on students.
  • Sex education should be mandatory in high schools.
  • Vlogging isn’t an actual profession.
  • Is LinkedIn helpful for finding a job?
  • Social media has played a big role in increasing business opportunities.
  • Is Java becoming obsolete?
  • Should employers go through the candidate’s social media profiles?
  • Animal testing should be banned.
  • Violent video games should be banned.
  • Parents with mental disabilities should not be allowed to adopt children.
  • Alcohol consumption should be legalized in Muslim countries.
  • Every person should get Covid-19 vaccination.

For your help, we have gathered a wide range of  persuasive essay topics . Give it a read.

Descriptive Essay Topics

A descriptive essay describes a specific thing by using sensory data. It is done to engage the reader’s five senses (taste, touch, smell, hearing, sight).

The following is a list of descriptive essay topic ideas for the students.

  • The person who is responsible for making a difference in my life.
  • Describe a smartphone and its benefits to someone from the ‘60s.
  • The most interesting piece of art I have ever seen.
  • Describe the experience of falling in love.
  • What does a place that only exists in your imagination look like?
  • Describe meeting a famous person.
  • Describe yourself and your personality to a stranger.
  • What will life be like in 2050?
  • An experience that changed my life forever.
  • Your idea of the perfect day.
  • My first trip abroad.
  • The most significant event in American History.
  • A popular book series that disappointed you.
  • A look into my daily life.
  • A day in the life of an ER doctor.
  • A trip to the museum.
  • The most interesting movie I watched during my summer vacation.
  • My favorite childhood memory.
  • An incident that changed my life.
  • An incident that restored my faith in humanity.

Here are some more  descriptive essay topics  to help you find a good idea for your essay.

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Narrative Essay Topics

In a narrative essay, your goal is to share a personal experience by telling a story. This creative form of writing depends on how strong and exciting the theme is. The article topics for students given here are carefully curated and would help the students do good in their essays.

Some examples and topics of narrative topic ideas are presented below.

  • The experience that taught me how looks could be deceiving.
  • A week without internet and technology.
  • The impact your first love had on your life.
  • How much did your teachers contribute to making you the person you are today?
  • An experience that made you realize your parents were or weren’t always right.
  • A moment when someone you didn’t like surprised you with kindness.
  • The influence technology has had on your hobbies and life.
  • An achievement outside of academic life?
  • Which school lesson had the biggest influence on your life?
  • A day when you fought procrastination.
  • The time you faced rejection.
  • The time when you stood against your parents.
  • An experience that left you helpless.
  • The time you prayed to be an only child.
  • An act of kindness you can never forget.
  • Death of a loved one.
  • Your biggest pet peeve.
  • Your definition of a perfect weekend.
  • The things you regret most in life.
  • Your first experience of an air trip.

Choosing interesting  narrative essay topics  is essential to make the content compelling for the readers.

Research Essay Topics

While writing a research essay, the most crucial step is choosing a topic for your essay. Select a topic that is broad enough to compose an entire research essay on it.

Below are some of the best topics for your research essay.

  • Effects of violent cartoons on children.
  • Should universities provide accommodations to disabled students?
  • Events and experiences I agree are causing the increase in terrorism.
  • How do technology and gadgets affect the studies of children?
  • Do children who attend preschool do better in school?
  • Universities are becoming business-driven.
  • Does college debt affect the future lives of students?
  • Why has the divorce rate changed in the past decade?
  • Schools should allow the use of smartphones in school.
  • Effective ways to decrease depression among our youth.
  • Analyze the relationship between the United States of America and North Korea.
  • Why did the UK decide to leave the EU?
  • Is it true that students learn better in a same-sex school?
  • How does giving kids different gadgets affect their studies?
  • Compare the immigration policies of two different countries.
  • Events that lead to World War I.
  • Pros and cons of studying abroad.
  • How has Covid-19 influenced the education system of the world?
  • Individual acts that lead to Global Warming.
  • Effectiveness of the policies made to control Covid-19.

Looking for more? We have an extensive range of  research essay topics  to make the audience fall in love with your work.

Expository Essay Topics

While writing an expository essay, you have to explain and clarify your topic clearly to the readers.

Below is a list of expository essay topics:

  • Why do teenagers commit suicide?
  • What is the impact of music on our youth?
  • What are the consequences of skipping school?
  • Why do teenagers use drugs?
  • How can pets make you happy and improve your life?
  • Consequences of having alcoholic drinks within a school campus.
  • How does drug use affect relationships?
  • Is global warming a cause of skin cancer?
  • Is sodium bad for your health?
  • What is the line between being overweight and being obese?
  • Why do you want to pursue your desired career?
  • Explain how advancements in science improve the quality of life for humans.
  • What are some unconventional ways of relieving stress?
  • If you could swap your lives with someone, who would it be and why?
  • What are some major stress factors in a teenager’s life?
  • Why is getting a degree important for job life?
  • Pros and cons of getting financial aid.
  • How emotional support animals help in treating mental conditions.
  • How does prostitution influence society?
  • The environmental causes of smoking.

5StarEssays.com has gathered an additional and extensive list of  expository essay topics .

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Compare and Contrast Essay Topics

In a compare and contrast essay, you evaluate and analyze the similarities and differences between the two subjects. Your reader must be able to form an opinion after weighing the pros and cons you have set forth.

Below are some topics for you to choose for your compare and contrast paper:

  • Extroverts and introverts.
  • Generation Y Vs. Generation Z.
  • Traditional Helicopters Vs. Lifesize Drones.
  • Unemployed students Vs. students with a part-time job.
  • SAT and TOEFL.
  • Persuasive and argumentative essays - How are they similar?
  • How were the causes of World War I different from the causes of World War II?
  • Education vs. professional career: what is more difficult?
  • Real-life or spending your time daydreaming.
  • Consequences of earthquake and tsunami: what’s worse?
  • Being popular in high school or alone?
  • Part-time work or studying for a higher degree?
  • Getting married at an old age or a young age?
  • Fashion today Vs. twenty years ago.
  • Donald Trump Vs. Hillary Clinton.
  • Democracy Vs. Dictatorship
  • Vietnam War Vs. War on Terror.
  • Benefits of drinking tea Vs. coffee.
  • Greek and Roman methodologies - Similarities and differences.
  • Traditional Vs. distant learning.

Get more interesting  compare and contrast essay topics  at 5StarEssays.com to impress your instructors.

Cause and Effect Essay Topics

The cause and effect essay explains why something happens and what happens as a result of those happenings. A cause and effect essay is a type of expository essay.

Here are a few topics for your cause and effect essay:

  • What are the causes of eating disorders?
  • Effects of climate change and global warming.
  • The effects of the Feminism movement.
  • What are the causes of increasing depression among teenagers?
  • What are the causes of suicidal thoughts?
  • Is keeping a pet effective in calming your mind?
  • How does divorce affects children?
  • Why are men afraid of commitment?
  • Effects of social media on youth.
  • Has social media affected relationships among families?
  • Discuss the effects of homeschooling on children.
  • Causes of heart diseases.
  • Causes of sibling rivalry.
  • Cramming doesn't help improve test scores.
  • Cause and effect of depression in the workplace.
  • How do abusive parents influence the mental stability of a child?
  • Causes and effects of bullying.
  • Causes of obesity in teenagers.
  • Effects of taking a balanced diet on health?
  • Causes and effects of insomnia.

To get more ideas, visit our  cause and effect essay topics  that are remarkable and well-suited for a great essay.

Controversial Argumentative Essay Topics

Argumentative essay topics are quite popular assignments in universities. If you are a student searching for a captivating argumentative essay topic, here is a list of ideas you can consider.

  • Third world war should be prevented by the Russian and US governments.
  • Political policies and practices affecting students.
  • Is gun control effective in reducing crime?
  • Same-sex marriage and constitutional law.
  • Is society over-regulated?
  • Are leaders born or made?
  • No one should be above the law.
  • Monarchy: pros and cons.
  • Rules on Political Activities by Federal Employees.
  • The most corrupt countries in the world.
  • Mercy killing should be legalized in all countries of the world.
  • Death penalties should be abolished.
  • Third-world countries should be provided with education plans by the developed countries.
  • Muslims should not be labeled as terrorists.
  • Illegal immigrants should be given equal rights.
  • Abortions should be legalized.
  • Live-in relationships should be encouraged.
  • Professional athletes should be allowed to consume steroids.
  • Should physical punishments be given to children?
  • Smoking in public should be an offensive crime.

Funny Argumentative Essay Topics

Are you looking for some funny argumentative essay topics for your essay? If so, choose a topic from the following list.

  • Why do people like watching funny videos?
  • What your cat is really thinking.
  • Why spam emails should be your favorite type of email.
  • Why wearing braces is fun.
  • School dropouts are the best in our society.
  • Why I don't like country music.
  • Types of dates.
  • A better way to get things done.
  • What organic food really is.
  • Things guys do that girls hate.
  • How to annoy your friend.
  • Why do women pretend that they enjoy sports?
  • Things preventing you from completing your homework in time.
  • Funny things we see in wedding ceremonies.
  • Why are spam emails more interesting?
  • Why does Starbucks coffee taste better?
  • Why are backbenchers smarter than other students?
  • Clowns are scarier than funny.
  • Should we be maintaining social distancing even after Covid-19?
  • Why is watching movies better than reading books?

Informative Essay Topics for Students

Essay writing requires depth. However, you don’t have to choose a complex topic in middle school, high school, or college.

Here is a list of interesting essay topics for middle school, high school, and college students.

Essay Topics for College Students

  • Virtual classes cannot replace the traditional class system.
  • Advantages and disadvantages of online classes.
  • Is there a need to reform the college education system?
  • Assault weapons should not be legal.
  • People with a history of mental illness should not be allowed to purchase firearms.
  • The taxation system needs to be changed around the globe.
  • Kids should not be the target audience in advertising.
  • The number of calories should be mentioned with every meal.
  • Feminists have effectively improved the workforce for women.
  • Is the death penalty effective?
  • How to identify fake news?
  • How to maintain a healthy life?
  • How to treat PTSD naturally?
  • Should people be judged on their appearance?
  • How is technology influencing the work performance of people?
  • Private Vs. public schools
  • How to choose majors in high school?
  • Impact of legalizing drugs on society.
  • Significance of learning social values.
  • How to prevent bullying on campus?

Essay Topics for High School

  • The choice to join the armed forces should be an individual decision.
  • Listening to music can increase work efficiency.
  • Being honest has more cons than pros.
  • People who have been in an accident value life more than others.
  • Embarrassing moments help boost your confidence.
  • Kindness is the most valuable personal trait.
  • Spontaneity can improve your life.
  • Can hobbies help improve the richness of one’s life?
  • Dressing properly in the office improves work efficiency
  • Being organized can help in school as well as the office.
  • Impact of homosexuality on society.
  • What is feminism?
  • How to overcome fears and phobias?
  • Significance of having leadership skills in job life?
  • Causes and treatments for bipolar disorder.
  • Side effects of consuming antidepressants.
  • How important is mental health in succeeding professionally?
  • How do teaching methods influence learning abilities?
  • Should specially-abled people be allowed to work in offices?
  • Discrimination and racism in the US.

Paper Due? Why Suffer? That's our Job!

Essay Topics for Middle School

  • Every child should have chores at home.
  • There should not be any summer classes.
  • Should students continue studying during summer vacation?
  • Parents should pay attention to the amount of time their children spend watching television.
  • Favorite family summer vacation.
  • Sports should be mandatory in every school.
  • Processed foods should not be part of private and public school lunch.
  • Do students still use newspapers for research?
  • Every individual should spend a year doing community service.
  • The weekend should be 3 days long.

Still need help choosing an essay topic? 5StarEssays is a professional  essay writing service  that helps you get a high quality essay. We have a team of essay writers who are professionals and can do your essay . 

We also have an AI-powered paper writer  for you to help you generate an essay in seconds to use as a reference!

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Home — Blog — Topic Ideas — Top 60 Satire Topics for Thought-Provoking and Humorous Essays

Top 60 Satire Topics for Thought-Provoking and Humorous Essays

satire topics

Satire is a unique and powerful literary genre that combines humor, irony, and critical commentary to reflect on society's flaws and absurdities. Writing a satire essay allows students to explore contemporary issues creatively and humorously. This article provides a comprehensive guide to satire essay topics, including funny satire topics, satire ideas, and examples for students.

Understanding Satire

Historical Background

Satire has a rich history, dating back to ancient Greek and Roman literature. Notable satirists like Aristophanes, Juvenal, and Horace used humor and irony to critique their societies. In modern times, figures like Jonathan Swift, Mark Twain, and George Orwell have continued this tradition, using satire to highlight societal issues and provoke thought.

Elements of Satire

Satire relies on several key elements to be effective:

  • Irony : Using words to convey a meaning opposite to their literal meaning.
  • Exaggeration : Amplifying characteristics or situations to absurd levels.
  • Parody : Imitating the style of a particular genre, person, or work for comedic effect.
  • Wit : Clever and humorous expression of ideas.

How to Write a Satire Essay

  • Choosing a Topic

Choosing a relevant and relatable topic is crucial for a successful satire essay. Look for subjects that resonate with current events or common experiences. Consider brainstorming with peers or conducting research to find issues that provoke strong opinions or emotions.

  • Research and Planning

Thorough research is essential to understand the subject and develop insightful commentary. Create an outline to organize your thoughts and ensure a logical flow of ideas. Identify the key points you want to satirize and how you will use humor to highlight them.

  • Writing Techniques

Incorporate satire effectively by balancing humor with critical commentary. Use irony, exaggeration, and parody to emphasize the absurdities of your topic. Ensure your humor is clear and does not overshadow the message you intend to convey.

60 Satire Essay Topics for Students

Good satire topics.

  • The Social Media Influencer Phenomenon : Satirize the rise of influencers and their impact on society, focusing on the absurdity of their influence on lifestyle and consumer habits.
  • Political Campaign Promises : Highlight the empty promises made during political campaigns and the gullibility of voters who believe them.
  • Diet Fads and Health Trends: Critique the endless cycle of diet fads and the often contradictory health trends that people blindly follow.
  • Standardized Testing in Schools : Exaggerate the emphasis on standardized testing and its negative effects on students and teachers.
  • Climate Change Denial: Satirize the refusal to accept climate change and the ridiculous arguments made by deniers.
  • Celebrity Culture and Obsession: Examine the obsession with celebrities and their personal lives, highlighting the absurdity of idolizing people simply because they are famous.
  • The Tech Addiction Epidemic: Critique society’s dependence on technology and the way it dominates every aspect of our lives, from communication to entertainment.
  • Reality TV Show Absurdities: Highlight the ridiculous nature of reality TV shows and how they often distort reality for entertainment purposes.
  • The Job Market for College Graduates: Satirize the challenges faced by recent graduates in finding employment, focusing on the unrealistic expectations and underpaid internships.
  • Corporate Greenwashing: Critique the superficial efforts of companies to appear environmentally friendly, exposing the hypocrisy behind their marketing campaigns.

Funny Satire Topics

  • The Unwritten Rules of Social Media: Satirize the absurd and often contradictory etiquette of social media platforms, such as the pressure to like and comment on every post.
  • The "Perfect" Instagram Life: Highlight the hilarity of people curating their lives for Instagram, focusing on the lengths they go to create a façade of perfection.
  • Online Dating Profiles: Exaggerate the differences between real-life personalities and online dating profiles, poking fun at the embellishments people use to attract matches.
  • The Hipster Lifestyle : Critique the ironic and often pretentious elements of hipster culture, including their obsession with vintage items and artisanal everything.
  • Office Buzzwords: Satirize the overuse of corporate jargon and buzzwords in the workplace, making fun of phrases like "synergy" and "think outside the box."
  • The Fitness Guru: Highlight the absurdity of extreme fitness trends and the self-proclaimed fitness gurus who promote them on social media.
  • Parenting Fads: Critique the ever-changing trends in parenting advice, from helicopter parenting to free-range kids, emphasizing the humorous contradictions.
  • The Vacation Photo Overload: Exaggerate the obsession with documenting every moment of a vacation on social media, making fun of the staged photos and endless selfies.
  • Life Hacks Gone Wrong: Poke fun at the ridiculous and often impractical life hacks that flood the internet, highlighting their sometimes disastrous results.
  • The DIY Craze: Satirize the do-it-yourself culture, focusing on the comedic failures that often result from overly ambitious DIY projects.

Satire Essay Topics on Politics

  • The Endless Election Campaign : Satirize the never-ending political campaigns and their impact on society.
  • Political Promises : Highlight the absurdity of politicians' promises that are rarely fulfilled.
  • Social Media Politics : Critique how politicians use social media for their campaigns and the resulting effects on public discourse.
  • The Watergate Scandal : Draw parallels between historical political scandals and contemporary politics.
  • The Cold War : Satirize the tensions and propaganda of the Cold War era in a modern context.
  • Monarchies and Democracies : Compare the absurdities of ancient monarchies with modern democratic practices.
  • The Perpetual Politician: Satirize the career politicians who stay in office for decades without significant accomplishments.
  • The Blame Game: Highlight the absurdity of politicians constantly blaming their predecessors for current issues.
  • Government Shutdowns: Critique the frequent government shutdowns and their effects on public services and employees.
  • Political Debates: Satirize the theatrical nature of political debates and the lack of substantive discussion.

Satire Essay Topics on Social Issues

  • The Social Media Influencer : Satirize the rise of influencers and their impact on youth and culture.
  • Tech Addiction : Highlight society's dependence on technology and its consequences.
  • Privacy in the Digital Age : Critique the erosion of privacy in a world dominated by social media and surveillance.
  • Celebrity Culture : Satirize the obsession with celebrities and their influence on public behavior.
  • Diet Fads : Critique the endless cycle of diet trends and their impact on health.
  • Reality TV : Highlight the absurdity of reality television and its effect on viewers' perceptions of reality.
  • The Charity Gala: Critique the extravagance of charity events that spend more on the event than the cause.
  • Online Outrage: Satirize the culture of outrage and canceling people over minor infractions on social media.
  • Parenting Trends: Highlight the absurdity of constantly changing parenting fads and their supposed benefits.
  • Gentrification : Critique the process of gentrification and its impact on original residents and local culture.

Satire Essay Topics on Education

  • Standardized Testing : Satirize the emphasis on standardized testing and its impact on education quality.
  • Homework Overload : Critique the excessive homework assigned to students and its effects on their well-being.
  • School Uniforms : Highlight the absurdity of strict school uniform policies and their supposed benefits.
  • The College Admissions Game : Satirize the competitive and often unfair college admissions process.
  • Unpaid Internships : Critique the expectation of unpaid internships as a necessary step to career success.
  • Student Debt Crisis : Highlight the absurdities of the student loan system and its impact on graduates.
  • Virtual Learning: Satirize the challenges and absurdities of online education during the pandemic.
  • Teacher Evaluations: Critique the often unrealistic and overly critical evaluations teachers face.
  • The Grade Inflation: Highlight the absurdity of grade inflation and its impact on student motivation and learning.
  • College Rankings: Satirize the obsession with college rankings and their influence on students' and parents' choices.

Satire Essay Topics on Environmental Issues

  • Corporate Greenwashing : Satirize companies that falsely advertise their products as environmentally friendly.
  • Plastic Ban : Critique the effectiveness of plastic bans and their real impact on the environment.
  • Climate Change Denial : Highlight the absurdity of denying climate change in the face of overwhelming evidence.
  • Big Oil's Green Initiatives : Satirize the contradictory nature of fossil fuel companies promoting green initiatives.
  • Fast Fashion : Critique the environmental impact of the fast fashion industry and consumer habits.
  • Recycling Myths : Highlight the misconceptions and inefficiencies in the recycling system.
  • Eco-Friendly Celebrities : Satirize celebrities who promote environmentalism but live extravagant, wasteful lifestyles.
  • Carbon Offsetting: Critique the effectiveness and sincerity of carbon offsetting programs.
  • The Organic Craze: Highlight the absurdities and misconceptions surrounding the organic food movement.
  • Electric Car Hype: Satirize the promotion of electric cars as the ultimate solution to environmental problems without addressing broader issues.

Writing and Refining Your Satire Essay

Drafting and Revising

Writing a satire essay requires multiple drafts to refine humor and ensure clarity. Seek feedback from peers to gauge the effectiveness of your satire. Revise your essay to improve the flow of ideas and enhance comedic elements.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Avoid crossing the line from satire to offense. Ensure your satire is humorous without being harmful or disrespectful. Maintain a balance between humor and insightful critique to keep your essay engaging and meaningful.

The Power of Satire

Satire is a powerful tool for social commentary, offering a unique way to highlight and critique societal issues. By using humor and irony, satire can provoke thought and inspire change.

Final Thoughts

Writing a satire essay is both challenging and rewarding. It requires creativity, critical thinking, and a keen sense of humor. By exploring a wide range of satire topics, from politics and social issues to education and environmental concerns, students can find inspiration for their essays. Don’t hesitate to experiment with different satire ideas and techniques to make your essay engaging and impactful.

Satirical topics allow writers to delve into current events and cultural trends, using humor to reflect on the absurdities of society. Whether you are a high school student looking for satire topics for high school projects or a college student seeking good satire topics for a class assignment, there is a wealth of material to explore. Funny satire topics can make your essay entertaining, while also providing a critical perspective on important issues.

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topics for commentary essays

What Is a Commentary Essay: Guide for Students

Why can’t an essay be just an essay? Every time you have finally succeeded at writing and think that you’ve got it there is another task at your plate.

You have no idea what to write. However, you already know that you need to research what is a commentary essay in the first place. What type of comments do you put? What do you comment on? Moreover, one of the most important things is how do you make an essay out of comments?

So, in order not to get to lost in the ideas and definitions, this type of essay is mostly a task for the high school student at least or for the college students. The purpose is to demonstrate a formed mindset and general awareness.

The task is designed to demonstrate students’ critical thinking and readiness to be an active participant in the social life and not just the observer. It means that writing a commentary essay is targeted at young people who already have a set of principles and outlook on the world and events that happen on a daily basis.

Commentary Essay Definition to Clarify All Questions

A commentary essay definition can be viewed through the purpose of this writing style. While other writing styles incorporate a dialog, challenge, cause, and consequence, the comment is targeted to reveal the in-depth knowledge of the text.

The writer is supposed to rationalize his/her agreement or disapproval of the information. Critique papers may center around only one content or fill in as a way to look into numerous writings. What is peculiar about this type of essay is that sometimes, the task is about comparing two or more information sources.

Since commentary essays pass on comprehension of foundation material, some examination is required to make papers convincing and lock on a single point. The research from the different angles helps to keep the reader’s attention and make your essay fascinating.

Notwithstanding utilizing general data for writing, students may turn to other sources for acquiring data, for example, the interviews and surveys conducted even by themselves. That is the way a writer is supposed to prompt a student to social interactions.

The definition of a commentary essay means you present the objective facts through these non-conventional techniques to gather enough proof and make an intelligible piece of work with the strong presentation.

How to Do a Commentary Essay Properly

To develop a decent essay, you have to get all the recent information on the subject for the two main reasons.

  • Awareness. To provide your comments on the subject matter, you have to learn more about the information. Learn second opinions and contradictions. Search for scientific journals that mention the issue to give a full review.
  • Objectivity. To rationalize your opinion, you have to learn several views on the subject matter and the consequence that the resolving of the issue might have. Or suggest a possible solution and foresee these consequence. Also, you may comment on what could have been done differently and why.

Information is the key. Just like with any other academic works any source of information has to be a trustworthy one. It’s really great that today even more information is available on the site, including more tips on how to do a commentary essay.

The standard structure of the essay is applicable here as well. Follow the flow:

  • Introduction. A summary of the issue, supported by the leader opinions from rivaling sides. A hint on what you are going to present in the body of an essay.
  • Body. Divide the main issue into smaller aspects you would like to provide your comments on. Try to define at least 3 points to the discussion. Provide your comments on each of them and support them with the information you obtained from the prior research.
  • Conclusion. Present a common ground of your comments, the general idea that ties your comment together.

Some schools give a task to comment on a literary piece of work. Students say that they keep in mind editorial writing when they have to put comments into an essay. Others think of abstract critique.

Additional Tips

This task expects you to evaluate a bit of writing, frequently a novel, poetry, or play. The key piece of a triumphant discourse is a clear and solid thesis. It is actually applied to any writing. If the message is too vague in the introduction, your presentation may also become too watery. Try to make sense out of every smallest piece you put down.

Commenting on literary works changes the extent of your discourse fundamentally. Start with a bulleted or single-passage analysis and make notes of crucial data to incorporate.

It may not seem easy to write a commentary essay when you receive the task for the first time. Students who were able to get in the college have great chances to complete the assignment with a little practice.

  • Buy commentary essay
  • Commentary essay outline
  • Commentary essay topics
  • How to write a commentary
  • How to write a commentary essay

Essay Topics – List of 500+ Essay Writing Topics and Ideas

List of 500+ essay writing topics and ideas.

Essay topics in English can be difficult to come up with. While writing essays , many college and high school students face writer’s block and have a hard time to think about topics and ideas for an essay. In this article, we will list out many good essay topics from different categories like argumentative essays, essays on technology, environment essays for students from 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th grades. Following list of essay topics are for all – from kids to college students. We have the largest collection of essays. An essay is nothing but a piece of content which is written from the perception of writer or author. Essays are similar to a story, pamphlet, thesis, etc. The best thing about Essay is you can use any type of language – formal or informal. It can biography, the autobiography of anyone. Following is a great list of 100 essay topics. We will be adding 400 more soon!

But Before that you may wanna read some awesome Essay Writing Tips here .

500+ essay topics for students and children

Get the Huge list of 100+ Speech Topics here

Argumentative Essay Topics

  • Should plastic be banned?
  • Pollution due to Urbanization
  • Education should be free
  • Should Students get limited access to the Internet?
  • Selling Tobacco should be banned
  • Smoking in public places should be banned
  • Facebook should be banned
  • Students should not be allowed to play PUBG

Essay Topics on Technology

  • Wonder Of Science
  • Mobile Phone

Essay Topics on Festivals on Events

  • Independence Day (15 August)
  • Teachers Day
  • Summer Vacation
  • Children’s Day
  • Swachh Bharat Abhiyan
  • Janmashtami
  • Republic Day

Essay Topics on Education

  • Education Essay
  • Importance of Education
  • Contribution of Technology in Education

topics for commentary essays

Essay Topics on Famous Leaders

  • Mahatma Gandhi
  • APJ Abdul Kalam
  • Jawaharlal Nehru
  • Swami Vivekananda
  • Mother Teresa
  • Rabindranath Tagore
  • Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
  • Subhash Chandra Bose
  • Abraham Lincoln
  • Martin Luther King
  • Lal Bahadur Shashtri

Essay Topics on Animals and Birds

  • My Favorite Animal

Essays Topics About Yourself

  • My Best Friend
  • My Favourite Teacher
  • My Aim In Life
  • My Favourite Game – Badminton
  • My Favourite Game – Essay
  • My Favourite Book
  • My Ambition
  • How I Spent My Summer Vacation
  • India of My Dreams
  • My School Life
  • I Love My Family
  • My Favourite Subject
  • My Favourite Game Badminton
  • My Father My Hero
  • My School Library
  • My Favourite Author
  • My plans for summer vacation

Essay Topics Based on Environment and Nature

  • Global Warming
  • Environment
  • Air Pollution
  • Environmental Pollution
  • Water Pollution
  • Rainy Season
  • Climate Change
  • Importance Of Trees
  • Winter Season
  • Deforestation
  • Natural Disasters
  • Save Environment
  • Summer Season
  • Trees Our Best Friend Essay In English

Essay Topics Based on Proverbs

  • Health Is Wealth
  • A Stitch in Time Saves Nine
  • An Apple a Day Keeps Doctor Away
  • Where there is a will, there is way
  • Time and Tide wait for none

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Essay Topics for Students from 6th, 7th, 8th Grade

  • Noise Pollution
  • Environment Pollution
  • Women Empowerment
  • Time and Tide Wait for none
  • Science and Technology
  • Importance of Sports
  • Sports and Games
  • Time Management
  • Cleanliness is next to Godliness
  • Cleanliness
  • Rome was not Built in a Day
  • Unemployment
  • Clean India
  • Cow Essay In English
  • Describe Yourself
  • Festivals Of India
  • Ganesh Chaturthi
  • Healthy Food
  • Importance Of Water
  • Plastic Pollution
  • Value of Time
  • Honesty is the Best Policy
  • Gandhi Jayanti
  • Human Rights
  • Knowledge Is Power
  • Same Sex Marriage
  • Childhood Memories
  • Cyber Crime
  • Kalpana Chawla
  • Punctuality
  • Rani Lakshmi Bai
  • Spring Season
  • Unity In Diversity
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Online Shopping
  • Indian Culture
  • Healthy Lifestyle
  • Indian Education System
  • Disaster Management
  • Environmental Issues
  • Freedom Fighters
  • Grandparents
  • Save Fuel For Better Environment
  • Importance Of Newspaper
  • Lal Bahadur Shastri
  • Raksha Bandhan
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  1. 60 Best Commentary Essay Topics [2024 Updated]

    More Good Commentary Essay Topics The Role of Art in Society: Examining the significance of art in expressing cultural values, challenging norms, and sparking societal change. The Impact of Climate Change on Future Generations: Discussing the moral and ethical implications of climate change and the responsibility to protect the environment for ...

  2. Commentary Essay Example, Writing Guide, and Tips

    A commentary essay is a type of academic writing that aims to analyze and provide an in-depth interpretation of a particular text or topic. It offers a critical examination and evaluation of the subject matter, exploring various perspectives and providing evidence-based arguments to support the author's viewpoint.

  3. From Summary to Insight: A Guide to Writing Commentary Essays with Depth

    4. Evaluating - Examining different aspects of an issue or argument and determining its worth or value by expressing an opinion about it. Using these four points as a framework for writing your commentary essays can help you to be more effective in your analysis, summary and evaluation of any given topic.

  4. Commentary Essay ⇒ Writing Guide with Analysis Examples

    The commentary essay's primary goal is to help the audience understand the topic better. Many subjects may be quite unclear to an ordinary reader—meaning many points can be misunderstood. Students write commentary essays to evaluate various concepts and analyze the subject in a broader scope.

  5. 40 Commentary Essay Topics for College Students

    Social Commentary Essay Topics. In the list of social commentary essay topics, you can find those expressing author's opinion regarding the social event or a response to any given social phenomenon. Here are some of the topic ideas: Responding to the law that allows abortions. Reaction to the social anxiety syndrome among teens.

  6. Commentary Essay Topics ? 50+ Original Ideas That Will Work

    50+ Commentary Essay Topics for Easy Writing. Commentary essays are all about your opinions, interpretations, analyses, and reactions. To write a good one, you'll require a great topic to inspire you. The topic-picking stage of your commentary essay can be a big bottleneck and stop any progress from being done.

  7. What Is a Commentary in an Essay

    Step 1: Preparation. Step 2: Stage Setup. Step 3: Writing a First Draft of a Commentary Essay. Step 4: Wrap-Up. 20 Tips for Writing a Commentary Essay. 10 things to do when writing a commentary essay include: 10 things not to do include: Summing Up on How to Write a Perfect Commentary Essay.

  8. Common App Essays

    Prompt 2: Overcoming challenges. Prompt 3: Questioning a belief or idea. Prompt 4: Appreciating an influential person. Prompt 5: Transformative event. Prompt 6: Interest or hobby that inspires learning. Prompt 7: Free topic. Other interesting articles. Frequently asked questions about college application essays.

  9. 3 Ways to Write a Commentary

    Make sure to use smooth transitions. When you move to a new example, use a good transition word or phrase. Some examples are "similarly", "conversely", and "again". 6. Write a strong conclusion. Your conclusion is the piece that will tie the rest of your commentary together. Make sure to include a summary of your argument.

  10. How to Write a Commentary Essay: Your Student's Guide

    Abstract (summarize the rest of the literary commentary in 250-300 words maximum — 1/3 of a page). Introduction (introduce the analyzed piece and its author). Several body paragraphs (include a topic sentence and transitions in each). Conclusion (summarize everything said above, restate your thesis, and finish on a powerful accord).

  11. Five Ways to Target Commentary for Essay Writing

    Here are FIVE ways to target commentary in essay writing: This is a topic that I have spent quite a bit of time on simply because it is the one skill that my students struggle with the most. ... While we have standard, formulaic ways to teach other parts of the essay such as thesis statements, blending quotes, topics sentences, etc., commentary ...

  12. Commentary Essays: Examples, Topics, & Outlines

    Yellow Wall-Paper A Commentary on the Social. PAGES 8 WORDS 3125. Yellow all-Paper: A Commentary on the Social Conditions Facing omen in the 19th Century. The Yellow all-Paper" by Charlotte Perkins Gilman is a story that is often considered to be one of the most influential pieces of literature of the 19th century.

  13. Learn How To Write A Commentary Essay

    Step 2: Create a Commentary Essay Outline. Once you have gathered your information, it's time to create a commentary essay outline for your essay. This will help you organize your thoughts and ideas and ensure your essay's structure is clear. Your outline should include an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion.

  14. 50 Compelling Argumentative Essay Topics

    50 Argumentative Essay Topics. Illustration by Catherine Song. ThoughtCo. An argumentative essay requires you to decide on a topic and argue for or against it. You'll need to back up your viewpoint with well-researched facts and information as well. One of the hardest parts is deciding which topic to write about, but there are plenty of ideas ...

  15. 50+ Commentary Essay Topics for Any Academic Occasion

    List of Commentary Essay Topics: TOP-15. The problem of adequacy of interpersonal perception. New mechanisms of public administration in developed countries. Interpersonal attraction factors. The technology chain, criteria for evaluating its performance. Image as a means of compensating for unattractiveness.

  16. How to Write a Commentary Like a Pro

    Speak out the words loud instead of reading to yourself. Jot down the main points and questions. Underline the keywords (useful when you are writing online). Highlight the words you don't understand to check them in the dictionary later. Make a list of all possible topics appropriate in your commentary.

  17. Quick Guide On Writing A Flawless Commentary Essay

    Learn the art of writing a perfect commentary essay with the help of our comprehensive guide focusing on its outline, examples and some helpful tips.

  18. PDF Using Steinbeck as a model for social commentary

    The purpose of commentary is not simply to report things but to give readers a way to make sense of them. A commentary will help you write critically about a topic and will help you analyze this topic within a larger societal context.1. Following the models of well-known American authors John Steinbeck, Joan Didion, James Baldwin, and the other ...

  19. Topics Commentary

    Commentaries published in this section and on EdSource more generally represent the opinions of the authors, who in turn are reflective of EdSource's broad audience. As an independent, non-partisan organization, EdSource does not take a position on legislation or policy. We welcome guest commentaries representing diverse points of view. If you would like to submit a commentary, please review ...

  20. 100+ Essay Topics for an Outstanding Essay (2024)

    The following is a list of descriptive essay topic ideas for the students. The person who is responsible for making a difference in my life. Describe a smartphone and its benefits to someone from the '60s. The most interesting piece of art I have ever seen. Describe the experience of falling in love.

  21. Top Satire Topics for Essays: Engaging and Funny Satire Ideas by

    60 Satire Essay Topics for Students Good Satire Topics. The Social Media Influencer Phenomenon: Satirize the rise of influencers and their impact on society, focusing on the absurdity of their influence on lifestyle and consumer habits.; Political Campaign Promises: Highlight the empty promises made during political campaigns and the gullibility of voters who believe them.

  22. What is a Commentary Essay: Best Tips For the Top Grades

    A commentary essay definition can be viewed through the purpose of this writing style. While other writing styles incorporate a dialog, challenge, cause, and consequence, the comment is targeted to reveal the in-depth knowledge of the text. The writer is supposed to rationalize his/her agreement or disapproval of the information.

  23. Essay Topics

    While writing essays, many college and high school students face writer's block and have a hard time to think about topics and ideas for an essay. In this article, we will list out many good essay topics from different categories like argumentative essays, essays on technology, environment essays for students from 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th grades.